Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and left ear hearing loss to obtain supplemental opinions from a VA physician and audiologist, respectively. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed not to have existed prior to service, but its onset during service or its relationship to service remains unclear. For his left ear hearing loss, the Board found that the Veteran had impaired hearing in service, but the examiner opined it was not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, headache disorder, hypertension, and bilateral kidney disorder. The Veteran's claims were decided on the basis of direct service connection without any presumption or secondary relationship to other conditions.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of hypertension in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran has not provided credible evidence linking his current hypertension to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, as well as a chronic eye disorder. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his diabetes mellitus, while the other claims are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it was incurred during service or related to any in-service blood pressure readings. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. Additionally, there is no evidence of a pulmonary embolism during or after his military service, and the medical opinion indicates it is less likely related to his service-connected costochondritis. As such, the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling since May 27, 1997. The Board finds that an evaluation greater than 10 percent is not warranted in this case at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The claim for an increased rating for prostate cancer has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and a bilateral knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development regarding the Veteran's hypertension claim, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded to allow for further investigation and evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and conduct examinations to determine the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. The Board has found that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, has been remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing as requested. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for service-connected headaches and PTSD, and seeking service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his hypertension, which ultimately led to his death from a cerebrovascular accident and hypertension. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's heart disorders are being evaluated to determine if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected restrictive lung disease due to asbestosis.