Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, enlarged heart, and chest pains. However, upon review of all evidence, including VA examination reports and private medical records, the preponderance of the evidence still does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate his service connection claims for cardiovascular disability, blood clots, and gout before deciding on his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are resolved.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed due to military service or Agent Orange exposure, but it may be related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension on a direct basis and for increased evaluations of her lumbar spine disability and left leg radiculopathy. The evidence did not establish that hypertension was incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor could it be presumed due to its onset within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of chronic vertigo, hypertension, and chronic sinusitis have been granted increased evaluations. The Veteran is now eligible for a 10% evaluation for each condition.

The Board has ordered additional development on the claims of service connection for hypertension and peripheral vascular disease, including obtaining relevant medical records and seeking an opinion regarding whether these conditions are secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened and granted. For the period prior to December 7, 2009, he is entitled to a rating of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. From December 7, 2009, his disability warrants a 20 percent rating. His neurological impairment of the lower extremities also meets criteria for separate 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus with associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, result in a combined 80 percent evaluation and preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The claim for hypertension is reopened.

The Board has ordered additional development to consider the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering his exposure to herbicides and any direct service connection. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from OPM and USPS, scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of hypertension, and considering all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident is not considered to be caused by VA medical care, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection and a higher rating for the Veteran's hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his military service or any incident therein, including exposure to herbicides. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between hypertension and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board granted the appellant's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied his claims for residuals of a rectal fistula and hypertension. The initial rating claim for right ear hearing loss was addressed as part of the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for a skin disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of heat exhaustion was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. Claims for cellulitis, right ear disorder, upper spine disability, and hypertension are pending.

The April 1991 rating decision denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of the condition during active service or within the one-year presumptive period.