Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, coronary artery disease, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to perform his activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (CAD).,All three conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's arthritis of the feet is found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to incomplete service records and additional development of post-service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development of the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (stroke residuals), enlarged prostate (voiding dysfunction), colon cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as secondary to his PTSD. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's death was caused by stroke, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. The Board finds that his service in Vietnam likely contributed to these conditions.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure is denied as a claim of this nature was not pending at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran died in the Philippines from nonservice-connected causes and was buried in a municipal cemetery. The appellant received $500 for burial benefits, which is the maximum amount legally payable for a Filipino veteran who died as the result of a nonservice-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for clarification of the examiner's findings regarding these conditions.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions and denied DIC benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including the residuals of a laminectomy, sinusitis with rhinitis, hypertension, and bursitis of the left shoulder, have met the percentage requirements for the award of a schedular TDIU. Competent evidence indicates that these disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, contributed substantially to his death due to acute myocardial infarction. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and medications prescribed for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/VAU medical records. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development. The issue of nonservice-connected VA disability pension remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, including his exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's hypertension did not manifest itself within one year of service and it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records, verifying potential asbestos exposure during service, scheduling VA examinations, and considering a referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311(c).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active military service, nor are they related to any incident or incidents of his service. The claims for service connection have been denied.