Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his functional limitations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinea versicolor remains denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, ratings in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, residuals of a left fifth finger fracture, and residuals of a right hand injury, as well as the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 8, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, left breast cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin condition due to outstanding service treatment records from the Veteran's Gulf War period of service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, neuropathy in multiple extremities, sleep apnea, hypertension, and pressure in eyes. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for diabetes mellitus. For all other conditions, the Board determined that there was insufficient evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied as there is no evidence of a link between the condition and his military service.,Service connection is granted for low back disability, with the presumption that it is related to documented injuries sustained during service. The issue of TDIU prior to July 13, 2015, remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in September 1986 due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The claim has been reopened with new and material evidence.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted based on exposure to herbicidal agents during service in Thailand, which is presumed for veterans who served in Vietnam-era areas or those exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II was also reopened with new and material evidence. Service connection is granted due to his military service in Thailand where he was exposed to herbicide agents.,Service connection for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to exposure to herbicidal agents during service.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied. The most recent audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder and hypertension, as well as her request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The appeals were denied due to lack of new and material evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service exposure, and his hypertension and migraine condition are not shown to have begun during service or be otherwise related.,Service connection for PTSD was properly severed, but the Veteran still seeks an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to his willful misconduct during active duty. The other disabilities listed are also denied as they were either caused by or aggravated by the veteran's own actions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status from October 1, 2014 is granted. The decision is based on the Veteran having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a left arm disorder, finding no nexus between the conditions and military service.