Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is due to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted service connection as it was manifested in the first post-service year. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and residuals of lip cancer are denied.

The Board finds that there is a preponderance of evidence against the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), and as secondary to service-connected PTSD and/or CAD.

The Veteran's service-connected conversion disorder with PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death from right heart failure. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's PTSD to his cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, wrist disability, heart disability, hypertension, cold injury residuals, jaw injury residuals, and glaucoma were denied as they are not related to service or cannot be presumed due to the passage of time.

The Veteran's psoriasis is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and hypertension is found to be aggravated by PTSD. The Board grants the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal is dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim of entitlement to service connection for shingles.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and hypertension. The Board has determined that TDIU is warranted for the period from September 18, 2006 to June 27, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for himself and in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, eye condition, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities due to issues with evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for pes planus, GERD, and hypertension are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,For PTSD prior to July 19, 2010, the Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent rating which meets the criteria under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board found no evidence of a current heart condition or high blood pressure, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service or within one year of service, nor is it shown to be caused by active military service or his service-connected PTSD. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and clarification of her claims.

The Veteran's current hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that he should be granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for colon polyps. The Veteran's hypertension is found to have been aggravated by his active duty, while there is no evidence of current colon polyps or their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records related to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus (presumably due to herbicide exposure), and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a left shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.