Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus type 2. This includes obtaining missing private treatment records from Dr. E.D., arranging for a VA medical examination, and providing another opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his currently service-connected conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis, migraine headaches, and erectile dysfunction, is being remanded. Additionally, the issue of special monthly compensation based on need for Aid and Attendance/Housebound status is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, and a compensable disability rating for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, including as due to service-connected PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU remain pending. The Board has ordered additional development on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the creation and notification of an overpayment of pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for bronchial asthma were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected bronchial asthma, nor did he provide any medical evidence to support this claim. For the hypertension claim, the failure to report for VA examinations is considered a basis for denial. For the increased rating claim, the Veteran failed to appear for VA examinations scheduled in connection with his reopened claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently suffer from hearing loss in either ear, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,After a thorough review of the evidence, including the Veteran's STRs and post-service medical records, the examiner diagnosed sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. However, the objective audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's right upper and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma was not due to herbicide exposure and did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation.,There is no evidence showing hypertension in service, nor within the first post-service year. The Board concluded there was no direct service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's depression is service connected as secondary to his service-connected back and lower extremity disabilities. His tinnitus, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, asthma, and hypertension are not service connected.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not have qualifying wartime service. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for cardiovascular disease and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent throughout the appeal period. Prior to November 3, 2014, he was granted an initial compensable rating (10%) for his duodenal ulcer.

The Board found that the Veteran's right leg disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. His hypertension was also denied as it is presumed to have been caused by another condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of gallbladder removal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The issue of an initial compensable rating for hypertension is being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee injury did not increase in severity during service and concluded that his current right knee disorder is due to a workplace accident after discharge from service. The claims for liver condition, hypertension, and blood clot on lung (respiratory disorder) were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension was assigned a noncompensable evaluation prior to September 12, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date. The Board found the criteria for increased ratings were not met at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 3, 2011 for a 100 percent rating for renal failure with hypertension and anemia was denied as his increased rating claim was received more than one year after the factually ascertainable increase in disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and valvular heart disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded as it requires further development.