Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board found no evidence of a continuity of symptomatology. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining translations of Veteran's service treatment records and requesting supplemental opinions from VA examiners regarding the relationship between hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and onychomycosis, finding no evidence of onset or causation in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and a need to determine if the Veteran's current hypertension is related to his period of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as service connection for hypertension secondary to his service-connected conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete records from the National Guard. The deviated nasal septum claim is denied as it does not result in obstruction of the nasal passages.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his hypertension and for earlier effective dates for his ED service connection and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his PTSD disability rating was granted, with the effective date set at March 16, 2006. The issue of service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no credible evidence of complaints or treatment for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension in service, nor any probative evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for hypertension as secondary to a service-connected disability, and the Board dismisses this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of hypertension, finding that it was not service-connected on a direct basis and that any aggravation by his service-connected major depression did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension first manifested during his military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension was not manifested during his active military service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service. However, the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and exposure to herbicides is presumed. The Board finds that hypertension may be presumed due to such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and a sleep disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need to obtain additional evidence from various VA medical centers and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated noncompensable prior to January 11, 2008 and 10 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, which is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic manifestations (peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, erectile dysfunction), has been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's widow, Ms. C, requires regular aid and attendance due to her numerous disabilities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiomegaly, atheromatous aorta, left atrial abnormality, persistent posterobasal forces, right corticomedullary area infarction, cerebrocerebellar atrophy, and osteoporosis. The Board granted special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from a VA cardiologist regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and/or PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.