Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also determined that hypertension is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an increased evaluation for a left calf disability. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service, while the left calf disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 30% due to its secondary nature to his service-connected hypertension. The appeal for a heart condition and the extension of a temporary total evaluation are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and tinea cruris and pedis were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, mild tympanisclerosis of the left tympanic membrane, and residuals of a right eyelid shrapnel wound remains denied.,The Veteran has raised claims for TDIU which are inextricably intertwined with his service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ankle disorder, specifically left ankle tendonitis, was incurred in active service. The claim for hypertension is remanded as additional development and examination are needed to determine if it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded for further development to determine if they are related to service or not.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and needs to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and seeking records from private physicians. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's hypertension and her service, including her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's assertions regarding a relationship were not credible.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is service connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression and associated alcohol and substance abuse.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a low back disability, both as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's hypertension is also considered secondary to his diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, cardiovascular disorder, rectal bleeding, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, and hypercholesterolemia. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a video hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and reopening of previous claims.

The Board has withdrawn the claims of hypertension, bowel disability, and ear disability. The claim for PTSD is reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran is entitled to service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral heel spurs. His hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service.,Right ear hearing loss is considered a disability based on auditory threshold measurements, and the Veteran experienced in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disorders is granted.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a CVA as secondary to diabetes mellitus and hypertension is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection, and the final RO rating decisions deny service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for his service-connected hypertension has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran is entitled to service connection for hypertension (to include as due to herbicide exposure and as secondary to PTSD) and for bilateral hearing loss.