Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection on the merits. The RO found that there was no evidence to support the claimed conditions and that the existing evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found no new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied claim for hammertoes (claimed as callosities of the feet).

The Board found no current diagnoses of hypertension, right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's service treatment records and post-service medical records do not show any signs or symptoms of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/privately obtained medical records. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and an increased rating for PTSD are also being addressed.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not causally or etiologically related to service or his service-connected psychiatric disability, nor was it aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for service connection have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 4, 2003 for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied as there was no indication that he had filed an earlier claim.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 25, 2004 for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left shoulder was granted with an effective date of July 12, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Bryan LGH Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 23 and 24, 2006 is granted. The Board finds that the criteria for emergency treatment were met, including a prudent layperson expectation of health hazard due to renal issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his current hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart conditions did not have onset during service and are not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability, including the service-connected partial nephrectomy, left and chronic bilateral nephrolithiasis.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10% and his left knee disability is not yet rated. The RO needs to secure updated medical records, arrange for an orthopedic examination, and determine the appropriate rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is competent to handle funds disbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, based on evidence showing his ability to manage financial affairs with appropriate supervision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that further development is required, including obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case will be returned for further appellate review.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for various conditions was received on December 20, 2007. The appellant seeks accrued benefits based on this claim, but the Veteran died before the next month and thus there is no potential for an award.