Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and a heart disorder (diagnosed as coronary artery disease) as secondary to hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran was rendered unemployable as of May 21, 2013, solely due to his multiple service-connected disabilities and this has continued unabated since that point in time.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow ulna spurring, right hand middle trigger finger, and left hand middle trigger finger disabilities have been granted with a 10% rating each. The Veteran does not have any other service-connected conditions addressed in this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including rescheduling VA examinations and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, residuals of a stroke, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and left knee disorder are all service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted. His PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown during service or within one year following separation, and is not otherwise related to service. His acquired psychiatric disorder does not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the representation and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is permanently worsened in severity by his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and hypertension was denied as the evidence did not meet the requirements to establish secondary service connection due to his service-connected knee disabilities. The claim for additional compensation benefits for dependents was also denied because the required documentation was not submitted within one year of notification.

The Veteran's wife has multiple disabling conditions that require the aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC benefits. The claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will arrange for a video conference hearing at the RO.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and aortic aneurysm are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent effective May 22, 2014. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was granted but not yet assigned a specific percentage.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and reopening claims are still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The decision on hypertension is pending further examination.