Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial compensable ratings for hypertension and bilateral cataracts, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Vincent Medical Center - North from March 6, 2007 to March 7, 2007 are approved as the VAMC in North Little Rock was on diversion status and not feasibly available for transfer.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hypertension during service or within one year of separation, and any such disability is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Board denied an increased rating for hypertension, currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The evidence did not show diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent rating since June 13, 2012. Prior to that date, his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 20 percent, effective August 10, 2007. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating for hypertension under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension was not related to his military service, as evidenced by multiple elevated blood pressure readings during service but no diagnosis of hypertension. The Board concluded that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's in-service symptoms and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back disability, bilateral foot disability, and hypertension are not related to service. The claims for direct service connection have been denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and records, including VA treatment records from June 1970 to September 2004. The appellant will be provided another opportunity to provide evidence or information in support of her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for the full-dollar rate of DIC benefits due to her residence in the Philippines, and her service was with the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines. The Appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Board also determined that it is not at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is caused by his service-connected hypertension, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for poor blood circulation and high blood pressure are denied. The Veteran's claim for depression is granted.

The Board found that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's hypertension to his military service or to his service-connected depressive disorder with PTSD symptoms on a direct, presumptive, or secondary basis. Therefore, service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear status of the service connection for obesity and inextricably intertwined issues with hypertension. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as of July 14, 2009. His combined disability rating is 80 percent with consideration of the bilateral factor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, skin disorder, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The issues were not fully addressed as some of them are related to existing conditions or have been previously adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot fungus condition, or leg length discrepancy.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining SSA disability determination and medical records.