Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left knee disability status post surgery. The flat feet/foot disability (pes planus) was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right eye disability residual to embolic stroke, and clogging of the right carotid artery as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Medical evidence did not support a finding of separate disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sleep apnea are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since September 2006. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 10% disability evaluation for hypertension, given the need for continuous medication and diastolic readings above 100 without medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with an examination and must provide an adequate rationale for all opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his major depressive disorder, did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 10, 2005. As of that date, he is in receipt of special monthly compensation at the level of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, hypertension, right knee disability, sleep apnea, and disabilities of the bilateral hips. The decisions were based on secondary service connection.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability caused by treatment from the VA, specifically a change in hypertension medication that allegedly aggravated his condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, carotid artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II due to secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. However, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder is not service-connected, and the issues of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus with a 10% rating effective March 6, 2004. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board found that hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and is not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have active service in the southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War and failed to report for multiple VA examinations. The evidence does not support granting service connection for migraines, a disability manifested by fatigue and nausea, or for a cardiovascular disability (hypertension).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any identified gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension were denied, as the most probative medical opinion on these matters weighs against a nexus to service or service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's increased ratings for post-operative right knee medial femoral condyle osteochondritis dissecans (based on instability) and right knee degenerative joint disease prior to January 27, 2010 were denied as the symptoms did not warrant higher ratings under applicable rating criteria. For the period from October 1, 2011, a TDIU was granted based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of these claims.