Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2016

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from September 24, 2012, to June 30, 2014, due to his service-connected PTSD. His hypertension does not impact his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a higher rating for PTSD, as well as TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to service or any presumptive exposure. For PTSD, the Board determined that the current level of impairment was adequately addressed by the 30 percent rating assigned.

The Veteran's death was caused by atrial fibrillation, with hypertension as a secondary condition. The cause of death claim and VA burial benefits claim are both remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran incurred gout, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss during his active service. The claims are therefore granted.

The Veteran died in September 2009 due to subdural hematoma, deep venous thrombosis, and hypertension. The appeal is remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the cause of death and addressing the DIC issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left hand/finger disorder, hypertension, or left shoulder disorder. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.,No evidence was found to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it. The claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is still pending.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current lumbar spine or related lower extremity disability, as well as any acquired psychiatric disability manifested by recurring bad dreams. The issues of service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and a disability manifested by recurring bad dreams are also being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected exposure to herbicides and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for scheduling of the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, effective May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his abnormal mitral valve with congested heart failure and multiple knee injuries, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 26, 2013. Since then, he has been in receipt of special monthly compensation (SMC) due to aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing by live videoconference. The issues include service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further medical development to determine its relationship to service and his service-connected PTSD. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, hypertension is denied as secondary to a service-connected disability and bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent prior to May 25, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of a left shoulder, left arm, or left hip disability. Service connection was not established for tinnitus due to lack of in-service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral leg condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, insomnia/sleep disturbances, left ankle condition, migraine headaches, and ovarian cysts.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has granted the Veteran a 70% rating for PTSD as of June 19, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, chronic headaches, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left hip disorder, and left hip scar have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the cervical spine disability.