Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable evaluation for hypertension is denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, a lumbar spine disorder, allergies/hay fever, and hypertension. The Veteran's sarcoidosis was not found to be incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of exposure to any presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and VA examinations to determine if current psychiatric conditions or left upper/lower extremity disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of erectile dysfunction and service connection for various conditions have been denied. The RO also reopened a claim for kidney infections but did not grant the benefit sought.

The Veteran's attempts to establish service connection for various conditions were generally denied by the RO, with some exceptions regarding reopening of a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and continued denial of others. The Board noted that new evidence had been received to reopen this specific claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyspareunia is dismissed as a matter of law because she has already been granted service connection for the residuals of her hysterectomy. The Board finds that the Veteran's dyspareunia is related to her service-connected hysterectomy and therefore, no separate rating can be assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder, peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal disorder other than ulcers, fibromyalgia, and hypertension were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to toxic chemical exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected. Tinnitus, hypertension, and disability of the eyes are not service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension and left eye injury are being remanded for additional development. The thoracolumbar spine disability is also being remanded, but the rating assigned remains pending further examination.

The Board determined that the appellant did not knowingly submit fraudulent evidence, thus forfeiture of her eligibility for VA benefits was not proper. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied as there are no service-connected disabilities rated totally disabling at the time of death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is not service-connected, and his hypertension does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension. The new evidence received since the final denial of these claims is found to be material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA and private medical records that may be relevant to the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted effective from September 22, 2005. The decision also reopened his previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension, but denied it on the merits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing high blood pressure condition was aggravated during his active duty service.

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

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and determination of whether his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was granted with an effective date of September 8, 2005. The claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for loss of use of either hand or foot.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and an eye disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.