Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for reopening the service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM) has been successful, and his claims for service connection for other conditions have been remanded.,An initial compensable evaluation for a stomach scar is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension has not warranted a compensable rating at any time throughout the pendency of this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and is not proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, renal failure, and sinusitis. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria. For hearing loss, the Board found that audiometric testing did not show a disability within VA standards. For hypertension, the VA examiner concluded that it was not caused by or related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hypertension and PTSD, finding that this is a direct service connection based on the medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and high cholesterol were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability from these conditions, and the Board found that they are not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's service in Vietnam and thus denied his claims for service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The examiner opined that the hypertension is more likely due to alcoholism.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board finds that a current disability has not been demonstrated for his headaches. Therefore, service connection is denied for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. He is also awarded an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for hypertension, and a 20% evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to January 25, 2008. The Veteran's GERD is rated as 10%. These evaluations are effective from the date of service discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for essential hypertension and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability as defined by VA, and thus denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. For hypertension and coronary artery disease, the Board determined there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service, and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with his military service. The claim for hypertension was previously denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound benefits requires additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess his disability status and need for assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by bilateral foot swelling for which service connection may be granted. The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and there is no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's right ear hearing acuity was noted to be within normal limits throughout his military service and post-service evaluations. Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease (CAD) with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensably disabling since service connection was granted in May 2009. The Board grants a 10 percent rating for hypertension effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes is now granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The secondary service connection for hypertension remains unresolved.