Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and cervical spine disability are related to his service, either as a result of in-service onset or within one year post-service. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability and the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, disability manifested by dizzy spells, a prostate disorder, and a heart disorder due to service. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were not credible.,VA examinations concluded that the Veteran's headaches, disability manifested by dizzy spells, prostate disorder, and heart disorder are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and review of his service records to determine if it had its onset during active service or is related to inservice herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for service-connected hypertension, finding that the Veteran's diastolic blood pressure was predominantly over 100 and required continuous medication.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral feet is related to service, and he was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for arthritis of the right hand and bilateral feet were not addressed due to a lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's hypertension and CVA residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that he is entitled to a higher rating due to his subjective symptoms of headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension. However, the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, diverticulitis, colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, headaches, a left bundle branch block, and increased disability ratings for sinusitis and major depressive disorder have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for status as a veteran and service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of onset or aggravation of hypertension during active duty training (ADT), and thus denying basic eligibility for VA compensation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are denied. The examiner found that the Veteran's diabetes was at least as likely as not related to his inferred exposure to Agent Orange during service.,Service connection is granted for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, but service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicides in Thailand, which could potentially grant service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted. The Board has also determined that he is entitled to a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed disorders, including those related to exposure during military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, nor is it related to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of multiple joints and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 24, 2003. His TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service and denied his claim.