Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD from January 26, 2015 to March 14, 2016 is rated at 70 percent due to significant occupational and social impairment. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss claim remains denied. The low back disability issue has been remanded for further examination. Service connection is established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Other claims remain pending.

The Board has ordered additional development to clarify the Veteran's periods of active duty, obtain outstanding medical records, and schedule VA examinations. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right ankle arthritis with ligament reconstruction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a right ankle scar, rendered him unable to dress or undress himself, attend to his personal hygiene, manage his finances or medications, walk, relieve himself without assistance, and protect from hazards. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements for a pension during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability. For his neck and back disabilities, as well as hypertension, service connection is denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent, which is sufficient to warrant a TDIU. The Veteran has been found unemployable due to his chronic migraine headaches and other service-connected conditions.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including his migraines.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction is rated at 40 percent since April 27, 2016. The rating is based on the requirement for regulation of activities due to diabetes, but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal in January 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. As such, he is denied service connection for all of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected and denied his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim was also denied as there were no schedular requirements met.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hypertension is at least as likely as not causally related to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and initial compensable evaluation for eye conditions has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether macular degeneration is secondary to service-connected hypertension and addressing the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's cause of death (pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, sepsis) was not found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss or any other service-connected condition. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for a detached retina, supraventricular arrhythmia, and hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left eye nerve damage, finding that there is no link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.