Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of chronic symptoms during active service and concluding that his current diagnosis was not related to either his military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 25, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and hypertension, finding that the conditions were not caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected condition, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but no higher, is granted effective from April 24, 2017. The earlier effective dates for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for GERD/hiatal hernia, IBS/diverticulosis, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's attorney submitted medical literature that needs to be considered in determining whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder or other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology, particularly in relation to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for higher staged initial ratings for hypertension, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to a rating higher than 30 percent for anxiety disorder with adjustment disorder are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, CAD, and hypertension as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a skin condition of the right hand. The appeal is remanded for further action on his claims for service connection for actinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland and hypertension.,Service connection for actinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various spine and elbow conditions due to a request for a hearing, and because the case involves state service organizations.

The Veteran's uncontrolled bowel movements, trouble feeding himself, and need for assistance maintaining his own basic hygiene show that he is factually in need of regular aid and attendance of at least one other person. Therefore, the claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was granted with a rating of 10 percent effective February 10, 2012. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. His bowel problems and benign prostate hypertrophy are at least as likely as not related to exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, migraine headaches, and unspecified anxiety disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for glaucoma and hypertension is denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board is unable to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Eglin AFB in 1964 or 1965, and thus cannot decide on the merits of the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, and left eye disorder. The case is being remanded to attempt verification of exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as earlier effective dates. The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hypertension, as it requires an addendum opinion regarding its onset and etiology.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange, and remanded the issue of hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's arthritis is not considered to have been incurred during or within a presumptive period following service, nor does it show continuity of symptomatology. Hypertension was first diagnosed decades after service and well outside any presumed period.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2011 for the award of DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance during the period from January 1, 2011 through May 2017.