Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 30, 2007 for service connection of arteriosclerotic heart disease was granted. However, his claim for service connection of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran only appealed issues of hearing loss and tinnitus, not hypertension. The RO subsequently granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and a change in service connection status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The RO must update his current address of record and reschedule him for a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by his authorized representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's low back disability, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is being remanded for further action. The claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine (previously rated as myositis, dorsal lumbar area) is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye disorders, including refractive error, ocular hypertension, cataracts, and macular degeneration, are service-connected.,The evidence supports a finding that these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Veteran's bradycardia has been rated based on the workload of 13 METs prior to May 6, 2009 and 8 METs from that date. The right knee condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's chondromalacia patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee) has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision in March 2002. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's hypertension was previously managed with medication, and diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's anal fissure has not been shown to be present, thus no rating can be assigned for this condition.,New evidence submitted includes medical records that suggest the headaches may have a neurological cause rather than being secondary to gastroenteritis. The left knee disability is related to service due to its onset during active duty.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and depression or other psychiatric disorder are both considered secondary to hypertension and pain from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a generalized skin condition and hypertension, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the conditions and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected and his irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30% since April 11, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, IBS, and bladder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected organic mood disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including hypertension, respiratory disorder, chronic sinus infections, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and sores from his right buttock.

The Veteran's hypertension, osteoarthritis, and high cholesterol were not shown to be related to service.,There is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40% rating for his service-connected lumbar spine DDD and granted entitlement to a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, may not be presumed to have been, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder are granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case due to issues related to the timeliness of a substantive appeal for service connection claims secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again by the RO, and any additional development required will be undertaken.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits was denied, and the Board has ordered remand to obtain additional evidence and consider his educational and occupational history.