Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a combined effects medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's renal insufficiency with hypertension is currently rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation available. The Board finds that he does not meet any criteria for a higher rating based on his current disability picture. For TDIU, the Veteran meets the criteria due to service-connected disabilities effectively precluding all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is eligible for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) since April 11, 2011 due to his unemployability and the combined disability rating of his remaining service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the appellant's claims of exposure to herbicides and toxins, as well as obtaining medical opinions to clarify the Veteran's diagnosis and etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hepatitis C due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Germany.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not etiologically related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is otherwise related to service, including as due to in-service herbicide exposure. The claim will be readjudicated after the opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including GERD, headaches, hypertension, and esophageal ulceration) are sufficient to warrant a TDIU prior to October 4, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing on his claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The hypertension issue will be addressed in conjunction with this process.

The Veteran's hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and myopathic syndrome were not incurred during a period of active duty service or within one year after discharge. The Board denied the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He has been given the option for another type of hearing or cancellation, and he chose a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service treatment. The claim for an increased rating for kidney cyst removal is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected PTSD and if it has been aggravated by PTSD. The examiner should consider the Veteran's February 2016 contentions and an article mentioned by the representative on appeal in April 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted, but the issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus remains denied.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The low back disability is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability caused his hypertension, and he has heart disease attributable to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee osteoarthritis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent for hypertension prior to September 26, 2008 or for a rating higher than 10 percent for either knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that this rating is not in excess of what is warranted based on his medical evidence. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was also evaluated but no higher rating could be granted under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including amputation above the right knee and posttraumatic stress disorder, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on this need.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 20, 2011, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of persuasive medical or lay evidence showing he was unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities within one year prior to that date.