Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent disability rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities has been granted, effective from April 11, 2008.

The Veteran meets the threshold criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, with multiple conditions bringing his combined rating to 90 percent. The evidence shows that he is unable to work based solely on his service-connected disabilities.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's diabetes or hypertension are related to his military service.,Both conditions were not diagnosed until years after separation from active duty, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and hypertension due to incomplete personnel records and need for further examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension (secondary to Agent Orange exposure), stomach growth, residuals of a gall bladder removal, chronic prostate infection (secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to Agent Orange exposure).

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for hypertension, which was previously denied. The Veteran contends that his service-connected left eye disability caused or aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board finds that none of his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by active duty. The Veteran's hypertension existed prior to his third period of active duty and did not worsen during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, which preexisted service and was aggravated by his military service, did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to schedule a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his hypertension claim, including the need for an addendum from the VA examiner who conducted his July 2011 examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and awarded a 10% rating for low back strain from March 26, 2005 to June 26, 2007. The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 20%, while his right knee arthritis warrants a separate 10% rating for instability.

The Veteran's hypertension and skin cancer were not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was rated at 20 percent since January 30, 2006. Prior to that date, the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, including records from the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension, including whether it was incurred during active duty service or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development of his claim for service connection for hypertension, secondary to PTSD, coronary artery disease, and/or peripheral vascular disease. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not restrict him to his dwelling or immediate premises, and the Board finds that he is not housebound due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.