Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims and that there was no relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coarctation of the aorta, adult type, is service-connected. The other heart conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an eye disability (including cataracts) as there is no evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his verified periods of active duty service in the 1950s. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any confirmed period of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA).

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not present during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from being able to avoid the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral eye disorder, and right ring finger degenerative joint disease with osteochondroma, status post fracture and surgery were denied. The claim for hypertension was rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pulmonary problems. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his service-connected anxiety disorder, while he does not have diagnosed conditions of bilateral hearing loss or pulmonary problems.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as secondary to PTSD. The Board granted a 70% rating for PTSD, effective December 20, 2004, and granted TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities. The claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability with high blood pressure was previously denied in May 2011, but new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim. The Veteran is granted an increased rating of 100 percent for his major depressive disorder.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran died from non-service-connected causes and was not receiving VA service-connected compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, he is ineligible for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his service-connected disabilities. His claims for increased ratings are also being remanded as he has filed a notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service connected, as it was aggravated by his military service. The issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's genitourinary disability and skin cancer are not service connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The hypertension claim is pending as it may be related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with hypertension, which was exposed to Agent Orange. However, prior to 2006, hypertension was not considered a presumptive condition due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the VA to provide a hearing representative on his behalf and allow submission of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, including a hearing for the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.