Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.,However, his vision disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected cerebrovascular accident.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, as well as whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to his nonservice-connected sleep apnea and fatigue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected and his PTSD does not warrant a higher disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli with pulmonary hypertension are related to his in-service left ankle injury, which resulted from a combination of trauma and genetic hypercoagulability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's educational pursuits are reasonably feasible, particularly in light of his successful completion of course work preparation and given the market for clergy in Virginia. The Veteran's vocational goal is to become a pastor, which he has already started pursuing with his own funds.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis and post-service medical records showing onset of hypertension. Service connection on a secondary basis was also denied because there was no competent evidence linking the hypertension to his service-connected PTSD or herbicide exposure. For PTSD, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating from 30% to over 70% was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or as secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease with angina and hypertension, is currently rated at 30 percent. The hypertension has been separately rated as non-compensable prior to May 2, 2012, but a separate 10 percent rating is granted from that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeals for the claims remanded by the July 2012 decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, small vessel disease, and multiple eye disabilities due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records.

The Board has granted service connection for athlete's foot, which represents a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.,Service connection was also granted for bipolar disorder with depression. The Board found that hypertension is not related to the Veteran's service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, a rating for irritable bowel syndrome, and TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary examinations and development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, thyroid condition, hypertension, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Korea.