Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric conditions and orthopedic issues, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that he requires this assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and etiology opinions due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected, as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service and the medical opinion does not establish a link to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and denied his claim. For his right knee disability, he is currently rated at 20 percent for residuals of medial meniscectomy under Diagnostic Code 5258. The criteria for ratings in excess of 10 percent and 30 percent for limitation of motion have not been met. However, the Veteran was awarded a separate 10 percent rating for valgus deformity beginning October 22, 2012, and a 30 percent rating for instability from July 17, 2009 to July 18, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and assigned a noncompensable rating. For diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, the Veteran received an initial compensable rating effective October 7, 2015.

The Board has determined that the current record is incomplete and requires additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C. The secondary service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension; and stroke are inextricably intertwined with the issue of severance of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805 or 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815, finding that she does not meet the eligibility requirements due to her father's service in Korea and lack of qualifying exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's Reserve service and providing medical opinions on various claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions, including congestive heart failure. The cause of death listed on the revised death certificate was pneumonia.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes, neuropathy, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for hypertension and a skin condition were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea) and hypertension are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially related to any of his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as increased ratings for lower extremity peripheral neuropathies were granted. Service connection was established for PTSD based on in-service stressors verified by evidence of record. The Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathies are all found to be related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidentiary development, including a VA SMP aid and attendance/housebound examination. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound will be assessed based on his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his hypertension.

The Board has restored service connection for hypertension and granted a 10% rating, effective from the date of severance. The Veteran's right shoulder condition is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly more than 100 and systolic pressure predominantly less than 160, requiring continuous medication for control. The Board has granted a 10% disability rating.