Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran is found to be totally and permanently disabled as a result of nonservice-connected disabilities, including benign prostate hypertrophy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and back condition (lumbosacral spine), when considered with his age, educational level, and prior work history. Therefore, he is entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty or ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed headache disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran timely filed a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the January 2007 rating decision denying service connection for hypertension. The appeal is granted to this limited extent.

The Veteran's hypertension is held to be the proximate result of his service-connected left above-the-knee amputation, and therefore service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including providing proper VCAA notice and affording VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to service-connected asthma. The case will be further developed and adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include on a secondary basis to Diabetes Mellitus (DM), is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for his low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his hypertension and his service-connected low back disability. The TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension that is attributable to his active military service and therefore, denies the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension, has been granted.,Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has also been granted.

The Veteran's heart disorder, specifically an old myocardial infarction, is presumed to be related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of death and for accrued benefits purposes due to lung cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no evidence of in-service treatment or causation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension and gastrointestinal disorder were not found to be related to service, and his PTSD was also denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development of evidence, including further examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.