Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, back disability, left knee disability, and increased rating for right knee disability. The hypertension claim was reopened but ultimately denied due to lack of chronicity in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its clinical onset during service or as a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and/or diabetic nephropathy. The evidence does not support a finding that hypertension was caused by, aggravated by, or related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability. A social and industrial survey will also be conducted to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private dental treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current dental condition. The claims will also be reviewed to determine if there are any new evidence that may affect service connection based on radiation exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not occur during service and was not aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence to support a secondary service connection claim based on his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease (CAD).,Diabetic retinopathy is found to be related to diabetes mellitus.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are found to have had their onset during service, warranting the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, finding that the conditions did not have their clinical onset in service or otherwise relate to active duty. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected conditions, including mood disorder and hypertension, has been determined. Special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and assistance have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that exposure to herbicide agents did not cause or contribute to any of these disabilities.

The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there was no objective evidence of a TBI during service.,Service connection for tension headaches is granted as they are related to his service-connected GERD.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus could not establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since the grant of service connection in February 2012. However, he is now taking medication for his condition and meets the criteria for a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or pain to shoulder level, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection and reopening of a back disability claim are still pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no decision can be made on the merits of this case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no nexus between the condition and his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

After resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran served in Vietnam and that his PTSD is etiologically related to military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.