Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and hypertension. However, further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's reported stressors are credible and to obtain any relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the termination of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was improper, as it had not been in effect long enough to warrant a reduction. The Veteran's disability remains severe enough to require such benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, and hypertension disabilities. The appeal for lumbar spine disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development to determine if it was aggravated by his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and rhinosinusitis, as well as his service connection claims, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to a service-connected condition. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a heart condition or hypertension in service and denied the claims based on the absence of a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right knee disability were denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service. The claim for increased rating of right foot plantar fasciitis was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, Type II as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for a low back disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a travel board hearing at the Waco RO due to his inability to travel to Washington, DC for a scheduled hearing.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to the Veteran's service. Regarding arthritis, a VA examination is needed as it involves medical nexus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the July 2009 VA examination report, and a new VA opinion with rationale is required.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the appellant's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' but concluded that he was not permanently incapable of self-support at the age of 18.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and confirming any exposure to mustard gas or other chemicals during service. The Veteran's claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The claims for eye disorder, right knee disorder, residuals of positive tuberculosis test, and Gulf War Syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for narcolepsy, high blood pressure secondary to diabetes, and impotence secondary to diabetes have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected diabetes and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending.