Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that they are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's left forearm scar does not manifest with current symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of coronary artery disease, hypertension, kidney disease, and hyperlipidemia were not incurred or aggravated by service. The psychiatric disability claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable condition under VA regulations.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility from June 2, 2009 to June 6, 2009 are approved as the emergency services were provided in an emergency department and the condition was of such severity that delay would have been hazardous.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the current medical records and available evidence.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, meeting the threshold requirement for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he has worked in property management and self-employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to address the etiology of his hypertension and squamous cell carcinoma, right neck.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, glomerulonephritis on renal dialysis, and a coronary disability are denied as the effective dates cannot be earlier than July 10, 2003 due to lack of prior claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a gynecological condition to include residuals of hysterectomy for carcinoma in situ, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any other basis.

The Board has reopened several claims and remanded them for further development, including those related to the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, hypertension, PTSD, left wrist disorder, right ear disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and left elbow disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including a bilateral foot disorder, left knee disorder, hiatal hernia, residuals of pilonidal cyst, residuals of cholecystectomy, right shoulder disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, asthma, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in his need for regular aid and attendance, including the inability to dress or undress himself, the inability to attend to his hygiene, the need to frequently adjust any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, the inability to feed himself or attend to the wants of nature, the incapacity to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment; and the Veteran is not bedridden.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for tinnitus, as the Veteran was not credible regarding his in-service noise exposure leading to tinnitus. For hypertension, the Board noted that the medical evidence did not show predominantly diastolic pressure of 110 or more or systolic pressure of 200 or more, which would warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed after further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by these conditions within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted based on direct service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include restoration of a 40 percent disability rating, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for TDIU benefits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently being considered for service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with hyperlipidemia and bilateral iliac stenosis, status-post stenting. The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequate opinion provided by the April 2008 VA examiner regarding whether hypertension was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's other conditions.