Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board finds that hypertension, claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, requires further clarification and evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to his Vietnam-era exposure. Service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also granted as these conditions are related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chloracne of the arms, hypertension, a dry and scaly condition involving the feet, swelling in the legs, swollen hands, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) of the right eyelid.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in February 2007 and not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The RO found that the Veteran's pre-service hypertension existed prior to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted on the basis of aggravation, with a non-compensable rating as it remained at least partially disabling before service. The Veteran does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded for additional development. The VA examiner who conducted the Veteran's January 2013 VA hypertension Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) will provide an addendum addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hypertension is related directly to active service or any incident of such service, and whether this disability was present during active service or within the first post-service year.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records related to his colon cancer and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for new VA examinations and retrieval of relevant treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure and acid reflux, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to Agent Orange exposure or secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease (including coronary artery disease), and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of actual exposure to Agent Orange during service or a compensable onset within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of service-connected disabilities, including hypertension. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was blunt force trauma to the head.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his private hospitalization from October 5, 2010, through October 8, 2010 are being remanded for further development to determine if payment or reimbursement can be made beyond the point of stabilization.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, thus meeting criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA compensation and service connection for hypertension and/or cerebellum artery rupture due to a lack of qualifying service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including verification of in-service stressors and evaluation of current psychiatric disorders, left leg disability, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected Crohn's disease, heart disorder, and right ankle sprains. The Veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU prior to June 26, 2010, and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to June 11, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a vocational examination and re-adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Board has previously denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but the case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the May 2008 decision. The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is found to aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 25, 2008. He is granted a TDIU based solely on his PTSD and also qualifies for SMC at the housebound rate effective December 25, 2008.