Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since October 23, 2007, and 30 percent as of March 8, 2010.,The Veteran's bladder neck dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to clarify the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis, including whether his hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension are related to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has not been productive of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more despite requiring continuous medication for control. As such, the criteria for a compensable disability rating have not been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to evaluate the level of functional impairment caused by the Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including diabetes with possible peripheral neuropathy, glaucoma, depression, hypertension, and various orthopedic disabilities affecting the knees, hands, and feet.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatitis C. The Veteran's statements regarding his current conditions are outweighed by VA treatment records showing the onset of these conditions post-service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not develop during service and is not related to any service-connected disability, thus denying her claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claims of entitlement to compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional left ankle/left foot disability, as well as his service connection claims for kidney disorder and diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The denial was based on a lack of evidence showing carelessness or negligence by VA in the treatment provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Veteran's hypertension is not related to his service or any service-connected condition, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The initial rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination by a vocational specialist to assess his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU if he does not meet the scheduler criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the pending claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as new evidence received since the last SSOC. The AOJ will arrange for a VA examination to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of her PTSD and etiology of her bunions, anemia, and hypertension.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and hypertension have been granted service connection on a secondary basis due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, and finds that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung disability has been received.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's hypertension and knee complaints. The issues of service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee disability are being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death from a cerebral hemorrhage, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.