Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and requests for a personal hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to hypertension. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (renal failure due to diabetes mellitus and hypertension) was not caused or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The Veteran's diabetes was determined to be a Type I condition, while his hypertension is currently managed with medication.

The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension. The RO found that separate ratings are not warranted since neither disorder is shown to a compensable level. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. His claim for an increased evaluation for major depression between June 10, 2005 and March 25, 2007; an evaluation in excess of 50 percent between March 26, 2007 and April 27, 2009; and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent from April 28, 2009 forward was also denied.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to Agent Orange was previously denied on the basis that there is no evidence of such exposure, but the Veteran submitted additional evidence since January 2004 which does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred. The preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran's hypertension is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including psychiatric disorder, recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, post-concussion syndrome, bronchitis, transitional lumbar vertebra, neck strain, and seizure disorder. The appeals are based on direct service connection rather than presumptive or secondary theories.

The Veteran is entitled to housebound benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which combine for a rating of 70 percent. He also meets the age requirement (over 65 years old) and has served during a period of war (Korean Conflict).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his renal insufficiency with hypertension. The issue remains about entitlement to an increased evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition effectively prevents him from ambulating without the aid of a wheelchair, which constitutes loss of use of both feet. Therefore, he is entitled to financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was manifested by complaints of dyspnea on exertion, some left ventricular hypertrophy, and moderate to severe aortic stenosis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not show marked enlargement of the heart or more than light manual labor being precluded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's homelessness and lack of contact with his representative.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including scleroderma of the back, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus with complications, and anatomical loss of both feet. The effective dates for these benefits have also been adjusted. However, the issues involving PTSD remain on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a heart disorder, to include HTN. The decision also addressed his claim for TDIU but did not specify whether it was granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination for determining whether the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are related to service or her service-connected disabilities.