Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of Reserve/ACDUTRA service periods and associated treatment records, as well as a need for further examination regarding the etiology of hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder were granted service connection, with a rating of 50 percent from April 20, 2006 to May 31, 2010, and increased to 70 percent since June 1, 2010.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for a retroactive benefits payment of $145 based on the award of separate disability ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease. The issue of an extension of DEA benefits is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The TDIU claim remains pending, and a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his psychiatric disability and prostate cancer.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibroid condition and hypertension, but denied these claims as there is no evidence of a nexus between her current diagnoses and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and panic disorder without agoraphobia, bicipital tendinitis of the bilateral shoulder, chondromalacia patella of the bilateral knee, sinusitis, hypertension, tension headaches, pes planus, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, render him unemployable for the period since March 25, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, neuropathy, or carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been denied. The January 2014 VA examination indicated that the Veteran does not currently have these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and hypertension have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional examination and opinion to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD or CAD.

The Board has restored service connection for hypertension and granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not have qualifying military service during a period of war. The Board also found that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations and opinions to determine whether his current respiratory disability, hearing loss, and other disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not individually unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and grants the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bronchitis and sinusitis did not cause or contribute to his death due to cardiac arrest, lung cancer, and hypertension. The medical opinions concluded that these conditions were not related to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left knee disability have been denied as there is no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during his active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board concluded that there was no direct or secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.