Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found that there was no evidence of a preexisting disability for hypertension or erectile dysfunction, and that the current conditions did not meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claims for service connection of a bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, hypertension, or respiratory disability. The Board concluded that these conditions were not caused by his service.

The Veteran's heart disability with pacemaker and hypertension were not incurred in service, including due to asbestos exposure. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis due to end stage renal failure and diabetes mellitus. The appellant claims the cause of death is service-related, specifically alleging exposure to herbicides in Vietnam contributed to her husband's type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims regarding cellulitis, earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, reopening of hypertension claim, diabetic retinopathy, and right foot disability are dismissed. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for diabetes mellitus is granted with a 20% rating. The initial ratings for cataracts and CVA remain at noncompensable until February 18, 2005, and 10%, respectively.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disability (depression) and service, nor did it find any evidence linking his current hypertension to service. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since December 8, 2006. Total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD alone was not shown during the appellate term.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to the appellant's periods of active duty for training.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's hypertension as secondary to his newly service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as provide the Appellant with proper notice. The cause of death claim will be adjudicated in conjunction with the burial benefits claim.

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

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which he claims were caused by a VA-prescribed medication (Olanzapine). The Board has ordered additional development to determine if informed consent was properly obtained and whether the medications resulted in the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to March 13, 2013. The evidence did not indicate that his diastolic pressure was predominantly 100 or more or that his systolic pressure was predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic atrial fibrillation are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service personnel records, private treatment records, and determine if he was exposed to herbicides. The claim will be reviewed again with consideration of presumptive service connection based on exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 5, 2011 did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the withdrawal of all issues on appeal.