Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25-29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not provided in a hospital emergency department or similar facility providing emergency care.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not causally or etiologically due to service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records from the Denver VAMC. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 60 percent for nephropathy with hypertension will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy, have been linked to several of his current conditions. The Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a skin condition are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with schizoaffective disorder between February 19, 1998 and May 31, 2011 is granted. The TDIU claim is moot due to the grant of a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to military service and the Board finds that he has a heart disability, likely ischemic cardiomyopathy, which may be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The hypertension is not shown to have pre-existed service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension claims, as well as to obtain updated treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently non-compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with his non-service-connected back and joint conditions, has rendered him unemployable. However, this determination is based on his non-service-connected disabilities rather than solely on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is characterized by systolic pressure predominantly 160mm or more, and the Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during or within one year of his separation from service, and there is no evidence linking it to his active service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension. The issue of service connection for a kidney mass (claimed as a renal cyst) is also inextricably intertwined with the claim for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral wrist disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of meningitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active duty service and was not incurred or aggravated by such service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, hypertension, prostate cancer or residuals thereof, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year post-service, and that any such disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records, specifically those related to his service-connected anxiety disorder NOS and any heart condition or COPD.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service connection claims for foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency of hospitalizations or visits to diabetic care providers. His service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were also considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension, a heart disability, or chronic muscle pain that is related to his service.