Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's single permanent disability (coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease) is rated at 100%, but he also has additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% (hypertension). Therefore, the Veteran does not qualify for housebound-rate SMP as his additional disabilities do not meet the required percentage rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 17, 2011. The Board found that the evidence supports a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD and for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran was not granted any new rating or effective dates.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Sears, and the Veteran is required to provide a release for VA to access these records.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's hypertension, which was not conducted as per previous remand instructions. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and a need to obtain Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since June 13, 2011. The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 10% for his hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection in all cases.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of November 13, 2006 for the grant of nonservice-connected pension benefits. The decision also grants service connection for hypertension and hepatitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral hand disorder have all been denied. Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus with initial ratings of 20%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board finds no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection or aggravation for hypertension and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found no indication that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including back disability, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and memory loss. The Board has ordered the VA to obtain all relevant medical records and re-adjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, including obtaining his service treatment records and any relevant SSA disability records.

The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed during service and continues to be treated today, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted, and he is service-connected for this condition.

The Veteran died from causes including cardiopulmonary arrest, sepsis, COPD, CFH, lung cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and hypothyroidism. The Board found no evidence of service connection for any disability and concluded that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 4, 2000 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for further development.