Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with mild diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran died due to recurrent acute myocardial infarction, hypertension, stroke and diabetes mellitus. The cause of death is not service-connected as there was no evidence linking any current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD and/or anxiety disorder or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver disease, claimed as hepatitis, was denied. His claims for PTSD and hypertension were granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. A TDIU rating will be determined based on the current service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, reflecting moderately severe residuals of foot injuries.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement, status-post decompression, with mild functional loss. The acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and PTSD) is also service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran does not have hypertension that is service-connected, as it did not manifest during his military service or within one year of separation. The Board finds no causal relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as due to exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, no qualifying exposure to herbicides off-shore, and no positive association between exposure to herbicides and any condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, or hypertension are related to service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment of a non-service-connected condition from December 8 to December 10, 2006 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are granted.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and a search for private treatment records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is also denied service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity, tension headaches secondary to hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VCAA notice and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's arthritis claim. The hypertension claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or hypertension, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.