Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension began in service and has been continuously present since then. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was initially demonstrated many years after service and is not shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and osteoarthritis of the left thumb are not shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease, is granted.

The Veteran's heart disability, including his heart transplant and AICD, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Veteran has three surgical scars from his heart transplant, but they are not considered disabling enough to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused or hastened by a disability incurred in or aggravated by service, specifically his nephritis with hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the appellant's claims for DIC and cause of death, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's final hospitalization and seeking a medical expert opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of hypertension and consideration of the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a leg disability other than peripheral neuropathy, ED, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with anxiety symptoms was rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction to his service or service-connected diabetes, thus denying both claims.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during active service, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are not related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and thus denied these claims. The evidence did not show a direct relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, and asthma were denied as there was no evidence of their onset in service or within one year thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not establish a presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available benefit.,Prior to May 13, 2010, his tinea cruris was rated as noncompensable. From May 13, 2010 onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss and a left hand disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria to establish current disabilities for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities and therefore cannot meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The claim for service connection for various conditions is also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was not diagnosed during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no competent evidence relating it to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (cluster headaches and hypertension) do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his employment status suggests he may be unemployable due to these conditions. The case is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination.