Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death is found to be related to his service-connected hypertension, which was a contributing factor in his untimely passing. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations and opinions regarding his hypertension, breathing disorder, skin disorder, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service, except for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The Board also determined that hypertension is not secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period, and service connection for allergic or vasomotor rhinitis is granted. The Veteran's left knee instability claim remains pending as a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and depression, is related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.,Service connection for elevated liver enzymes (claimed as idiopathic liver disease) was not granted due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's hypertension was found to be manifested by blood pressure readings of 150 systolic and 95 diastolic, which do not meet criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,For pseudofolliculitis barbae with facial scars, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 50% evaluation as there was no visible or palpable tissue loss and asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it, based on evidence showing a relationship between his current condition and elevated blood pressure readings during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension or sleep apnea and his service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right knee, foot, hip, shoulder, sleep disorder, asthma, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, or due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's hypertension will be evaluated in relation to both these theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied in the March 1988, July 1988, and November 1989 rating decisions. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU was not raised again until October 28, 1997 when he submitted a statement indicating his work history was affected by hypertension. The Board granted an effective date of October 3, 1997 for the award of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's treatment from January 19, 2008 to January 22, 2008 was considered a continued medical emergency and the VA could not safely discharge or transfer him. The Veteran was transferred to VA inpatient rehabilitation on January 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 2004 for the award of SMC based on aid and attendance was denied as there was no earlier ascertainable increase in disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral eye disability (temporary blindness) related to service, and his other claimed disabilities are either not supported by evidence of record or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran's significant service-connected disabilities, including major depression, prostate carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, necessitate regular aid and attendance from another person. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's current hypertension was incurred in service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of tinea versicolor, condyloma, and a heart disability to include AV block with abnormal EKG which is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of service personnel records and further investigation into the Veteran's claimed chemical exposure during service.