Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and secondary hypertension may be due to his service-connected disabilities.,Chronic allergic rhinitis warrants an initial increased rating.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is January 5, 2006. This decision was made because it was factually ascertainable that entitlement to TDIU arose on this date and occurred within one year prior to the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant met the criteria for establishing entitlement to aid and attendance benefits at the time of her May 11, 2011 submission. The effective date is granted as of May 11, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The examiner concluded that any injury in service resolved with no residual disability at separation and did not establish a link between the current back disorder and service.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension, as there was no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service discharge.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but his mid-lower back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for chondromalacia of the left knee, effective July 28, 2006. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and back disability have been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other presumed conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension and hearing loss, as well as his service connection claim for hepatitis C, are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as it is not considered a disability. The Board found that there is no current disability associated with the claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The examiner will also assess whether the residuals of transient ischemic attack are secondary to hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, he cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 10, 2011 at CRMC were reimbursed due to the emergent nature of his back pain and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is due to herbicide exposure or proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension was caused by his service-connected PTSD, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and providing opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's throat disability, nasal disability, stomach disability, and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,There is no clear evidence of record indicating that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed during service and is currently present, meeting the criteria for service connection. The heart disability claim will be remanded as it requires further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service-connected conditions, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board denies the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.