Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused by or related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death in August 2008 was not related to a service-connected disability or service, and the Board found that his headaches did not contribute substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Veteran's income was not excessive for non-service-connected disability pension benefits for the periods from July 2008 to December 2009 and January 2010, allowing him to receive special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability and hypertension, but granted service connection for left anisometropia. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (left eye) while others were denied (right eye and hypertension). Service connection was established on the merits for left anisometropia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, endocarditis, diabetes mellitus, residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), and a vascular disability as there is no competent evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or worsened by his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the back, finding that it did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not etiologically related to service. Service connection was also denied for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and hypertension due to the lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease, as well as continuity of symptomatology from service.,Service connection was not granted because there is no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on VA audiometric testing results.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating and whether her nonservice-connected disabilities render her unemployable.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining private records for the Veteran's hearing loss and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his hypertension and back/neck disorders are related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions.

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

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective July 20, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his anxiety disorder or any of the other conditions listed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety neurosis in a schizoid personality, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are all found to be related to his service. The claim for hypertension is also granted as it is considered part of the same disability picture.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of right second metacarpal fracture, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and impotence are denied. The Veteran is service-connected for a chronic low back disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which was previously denied in 2006. The cause of death is listed as adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with metastasis, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and residuals of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions. The claim for diabetes secondary to these conditions is being remanded as requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the latter claim. The decision also noted that the in-service high blood pressure readings were not related to active duty service.