Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine his ability to obtain and maintain employment.

The Veteran's hypertension is shown to more closely approximate that of a history of elevated diastolic blood pressure of predominately 100 or more with the use of continuous medication for control. Therefore, an increased rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted beginning on November 13, 2003.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication for control since June 1, 2005, is now rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is more likely related to his diabetes mellitus than to his service-connected hypertension, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to IBS, renal failure as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and liver disorder as secondary to IBS. The claim for a higher rating than 30 percent for IBS was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of her medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and hypertension were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for tinea pedis was not granted, while the claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of both knees and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine were also not granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and schizophrenia were denied service connection. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess her current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional notification and evidentiary development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The appellant's diagnosis of hypertension was confirmed but there was no evidence showing it was incurred during or within one year after his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of cold injury to both feet and/or residuals of bilateral ankle injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the condition and service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea, finding that these conditions had their onset during the Veteran's second period of military service. The effective date is not specified as it was a direct grant without reopening an old claim.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and associated conditions, as well as erectile dysfunction with special monthly compensation on account of loss of use of a creative organ, was improper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hypertension or hepatitis C infection that is related to service. The claim for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for hypertension and cholangiocarcinoma. Specifically, VA must obtain treatment records from Dr. J. R. P., arrange for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any hypertension disability, and arrange for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any residuals of cholangiocarcinoma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying disability.