Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and assistance has been denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for attaining any of the required levels of SMC to warrant consideration of an increased rate based on a higher level of aid and assistance.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30% due to more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year with headaches, pain, and discharge. His hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. The Veteran's left spermatocele is not manifested by urinary tract infection symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, hypertension, and dysthymic disorder (claimed as depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and vascular disease secondary to PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current lung disorder(s) and/or hypertension and service, and addressing the issues of entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential in-service exposure to Agent Orange and a need for further examination regarding hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an incomplete record and a need to obtain private treatment records from Atlantis Healthcare Group.

The Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is caused or made worse by his service-connected diabetes and/or PTSD. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension.

The Veteran's hypertension, myopathic syndrome and muscle disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II were not incurred during a period of active duty service or within one year of discharge.,Hyperlipidemia is considered a laboratory finding and does not qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding no current disability in either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to his service-connected diabetes. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disability, to include COPD, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as it is inextricably intertwined with his claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disability and hypertension. The TDIU issue will be addressed after any necessary development related to the service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need to verify herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate disability, Bell's palsy, bilateral ankle disability, and scars have been denied. The Veteran's hearing loss claim has also been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his hypertension, which was diagnosed within one year of discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.