Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by heart failure due to, or as a consequence of pulmonary embolism and other significant conditions including coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension. As the Veteran served in Vietnam and is presumed exposed to herbicides, his service-connected coronary artery disease is deemed to be related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus are currently rated at the lowest possible levels, with no higher ratings warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, asthma, right and left wrist disabilities, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. As such, a TDIU is granted.

The Board found that hypertension was not first manifested during active duty service or within the first post-service year and denied service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but he contends it should be higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity venous thrombophlebitis, high cholesterol, hernia, edema, heart disability (presumably referring to heart disease), and hypertension have been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for psychiatric disability, claimed as depression and PTSD, due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of fibromyalgia, hypertension, or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities being related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision noted that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or an undiagnosed illness associated with Gulf War service.

The Veteran died in March 2010 due to an acute myocardial infarction. The appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD were pending at the time of the Veteran's death. Evidence of record did not show that any of these conditions began during or preexisted military service or was related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot ulcers, left foot ulcers, PTSD, and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran's claim for hypertension was pending as it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and left ear hearing loss disability were both denied. His claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) as he is able to dress, clean himself, and protect himself from daily hazards without assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and failure to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was incurred during his second period of active service. The hypertension claim is remanded for further clarification regarding whether it worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the respiratory disorder and the extent of renal involvement in hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on the claims for an initial compensable rating before November 12, 2008, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent from November 12, 2008, for low back strain; entitlement to an initial compensable rating for costochondritis; and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD) associated with diabetes mellitus, type II from June 1, 2007, was denied. His TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lupus, and restless leg syndrome. The claim for increased ratings for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year of service or was caused by any disease, injury, or incident in service. Therefore, it denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis/allergies claims are being remanded for additional development.