Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied by the RO prior to January 7, 2011. The Board has now remanded the case due to a lack of evidence assessing his employability prior to that date.

The Board has ordered additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran had ischemic heart disease, its relation to service and Agent Orange exposure, diabetes mellitus' relation to hypertension and renal disease, and whether these conditions contributed to his death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development, including obtaining a medical nexus opinion and clarifying whether the Appellant wants a hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease and whether it is at least as likely as not that he developed hypertension during active service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's renal cancer and hypertension. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the renal cancer claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left hand laceration and hypertension have been reopened, but his claim for an acquired psychiatric disability remains denied.,The Veteran has been granted a 30% rating for his acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is attributable to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for another VA examination of his hypertension, as the most recent VA examinations took place over six years ago. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's non-service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to permanently preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and occupational experience. The Board finds that the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating are met, granting non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The issue of TDIU remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 12, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating due to increased social and occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, seeking service treatment records from Martin Army Community Hospital and MacDill Air Force Base, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's groin muscle strain and whether her hypertension was aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity amputations and prostate cancer, cause him to require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, skin rash, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, tingling feet, cardiovascular disorders, and back disorder. The appeal is considered on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure to notify the appellant of a previously scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's hypertension has been manifested by a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that requires continuous medication for control, warranting an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, and he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. His erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for residuals of a right knee injury. The claims for left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability have all been denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.