Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of allergic rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), onychomycosis, and hypertension. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure or other diseases associated with such exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete verification of his periods of active military service, particularly in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He is also requested to clarify when he was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disorders.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and numbness in the arms are not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure. The heart disorder is presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.,Hypertension is also presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.

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

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. His hypertension was manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly less than 110, systolic pressure predominantly less than 200, and continuous medication for control, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of SMC benefits based on housebound criteria being met was granted as of July 26, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran had service-connected disabilities totaling at least 70% disabling by September 16, 2005, which qualified him for SMC benefits effective from that date.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and hypertension, with both issues now pending on their merits. Service connection was granted for PTSD based on evidence showing a diagnosis related to in-service combat exposure. The claim for hypertension is still pending as there is no indication that it is caused by Agent Orange exposure or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Grave's disease with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension was not present in service and is not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened, but the claims for hypertension and ED remain denied.,Service connection for headaches is not granted as there is no evidence of a chronic illness during or after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a higher rating of his service-connected hypothyroidism with tachycardia and obesity, as the decision was final due to lack of disagreement with the initial assignment of the disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, vision disability, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link to service.

The Board has vacated its November 2012 decision due to the discovery of additional evidence not previously considered, and has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his kidney disease and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not presumed related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right great toe fracture with arthritis is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective June 1, 2008.,The Veteran's right great toe disorder causes him pain and limits his movement.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not related to service or his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disability are not related to service, while his neck disability is related. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied the claim.