Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent pulmonary disorder, including pulmonary hypertension and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or for decades after separation. The Board also found it less likely than not that any current condition is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma/COPD and hypertension have been rated based on their severity, with the initial rating for COPD being granted at 30 percent. The Veteran's hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating prior to July 21, 2009, and is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his Vietnam-era service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition. For the other issues, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension, additional evidence is needed as they are not clearly related to service or presumptive exposure. A respiratory disability claim based on asbestos exposure will be addressed after obtaining updated medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic kidney disorder, currently diagnosed as renal failure, was incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and is therefore service-connected.

The Veteran did not have active service during a period of war, and therefore does not meet the criteria for basic entitlement to non-service connected death pension benefits. The issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart palpitations, GERD with hiatal hernia, cervical spine disability, low back disability, nasal problems and left maxillary/ethmoid sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The claims were also dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal regarding heart palpitations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected renal insufficiency-proteinuria with hypertension was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, which reflects the need for restricted diet and oral medication. The issues of service connection for hypertension, evaluation of pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD prior to March 3, 2004 are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and bilateral gout have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable rating for erectile dysfunction due to lack of penile deformity. A separate award of SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has also been granted. The Veteran's hypertension and GERD are rated as 0 percent, while his bilateral gout remains at the initial 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct link between any service-connected condition and the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to afford the Veteran a hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's prostate disorder and hypertension are not related to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current conditions were diagnosed many years after separation from service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability, resulting in a 50% rating from February 2, 2001, to November 27, 2006. Service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea were denied as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded this case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at all, as it pertains to scheduling issues.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right hand injury, currently diagnosed as old laceration of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon of the right little finger. The Veteran's claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine if there is any relation between these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he has passed away.