Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disability, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to establish a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and diminished color perception as secondary to diabetes. The effective date remains January 24, 1973, as there was no CUE in the RO decision assigning this date. The claim for an earlier effective date for hearing loss disability is denied due to lack of evidence of a prior informal claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and cardiovascular disorder did not have their onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board also found that secondary service connection for the cardiovascular disorder due to hypertension was not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches. Service connection for hypertension due to PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service or within a year thereafter, and is not due to any in-service disease, injury, or event. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with hypertension, which the Board finds to be related to his military service. As the Veteran's diastolic blood pressure was predominantly 90 or more during service and confirmed by readings taken on multiple occasions, service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The effective date is not specified as it was within one year of separation.

The Veteran's bilateral leg condition is service-connected as secondary to his hypertension and CAD.,Prior to August 5, 2011, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his CAD. From December 1, 2011, he is not entitled to a higher rating.,The effective date for TDIU has been set at March 30, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's participation in recovery and cleanup efforts during his active duty service is a stressor related to his PTSD. The remaining issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen prior claims for various conditions, as well as entitlement to increased disability ratings, are remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of formal finding regarding herbicide exposure and will need to determine if the Veteran can be presumed exposed. The claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension will then be reconsidered based on this determination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and hypertension are not related to service or any incident thereof.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo was a significant condition contributing to his death from acute large intracranial hemorrhage. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has been granted, and he is now receiving a 20 percent rating. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU effective December 15, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to develop the claim for a thyroid disorder in accordance with VA regulations. The Veteran's service connection claims are now inextricably intertwined with the remanded issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board notes that the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the Appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death claimed as the result of herbicide exposure and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. Service connection is now established for the cause of the Veteran's death due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues include cardiovascular disorders including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea, all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.