Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and is not causally related to his military service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further review by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and issuance of a statement of the case on issues related to his diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders. The RO will also address the issue of hypertension.

The Veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident and hypertension, which were not service-connected disabilities. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total rating were denied. The left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with separate ratings for limitation of flexion and ACL deficiency.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete records, particularly from his period of active duty in 1990/1991. The Board will attempt to obtain these records and determine if the disabilities had their onset during this time.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and if it was aggravated by PTSD. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a low back disorder, specifically addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected kidney stones. The case will be reconsidered with consideration given to the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The issues of residuals of a head injury, residuals of a neck injury, and PTSD were also addressed but are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication, including obtaining updated medical evaluations and opinions regarding his ability to engage in the profession of massage therapy.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, finding that the symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for such rating. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dysthymic disorder, hypertension secondary to medications provided for her right knee disability, increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, and service connection for a surgical scar on her left knee. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 2004 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying reopening of the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted by the Veteran raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection for hypertension. The issue is now reopened, and will be addressed on its merits.

The Veteran's kidney disease is due to or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension. The initial disability ratings for sinusitis have been granted, but the Veteran continues to appeal for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, including glaucoma, and denied his increased rating claims for scars, lacerations to the lateral side of the right knee, and a right ankle disability. The decision also noted that it was unclear whether the appeal was about service connection at all.