Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, bilateral knee disorder, abdominal disorder, and heart condition were denied. The Board found no evidence of current right knee disability or a relationship between the left knee disorder and service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, both presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The effective date remains pending as the Veteran's notice of disagreement on this issue is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as hypertension, are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and hypertension, both to include as due to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and cellulitis of the right and left legs have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, fibromyalgia, dysthymic disorder (claimed as depression), hypertension, loss of sense of taste, and loss of sense of smell. The claim for TDIU benefits was also addressed but is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be related to his military service. His left knee disability is rated at 10% for the period prior to March 2007, 20% from May 2007 onwards, and a separate 10% rating for limitation of extension is granted. The Veteran's total left knee replacement with scars is also rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for hypertension and acne are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, a new VA examination, and consideration of outstanding evidence.

The Board denied service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension as secondary to Type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Veteran's varicose veins of both lower extremities were rated at 20 percent prior to January 20, 2010 and at 40 percent beginning January 20, 2010. His hypertension was rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and tinnitus due to inadequate development of medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of these conditions. The VA must obtain a new examination with a medical doctor to address whether his service-connected anxiety disorder or TMJ syndrome caused or aggravated his hypertension, and whether his TMJ syndrome or any other service-connected condition caused or aggravated his tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran does not suffer from diabetic retinopathy and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to excessive noise. His claims for other conditions are denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied.,Service connection was granted for depression with an effective date of March 11, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's sexual dysfunction is found to be secondary to medications prescribed for PTSD.,Hypertension and GERD are not related to service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not present in service or for many years thereafter, and is not secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Paget's disease and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for treatment records from a VA facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.