Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to requests for a copy of the claims file, an updated copy of the claims file, and a DRO hearing. The appellant's representative also requested a rescheduling of the Board hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, which he claims are related to his diabetes mellitus and/or in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board has determined that additional development is needed.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service, including potential herbicide exposure. Service connection for the condition will be considered on both a direct basis (as not incurred in service) and secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 30 percent since December 8, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from December 8, 2006, based on the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorder, heart disorder and hypertension, prostate disorder, and thyroid disorder, were not related to his active service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension did not have its onset during service or due to a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, spine disorder, left leg and foot disorder (to include as secondary to a spine disorder), intestinal blockage, hypertension, thyroid disorder, nerve damage of the bilateral hands, and nerve damage of the right leg were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hypertension with ischemic heart disease and nephrosclerosis is rated at 60 percent effective July 29, 2013. The issues of increased ratings for both conditions are addressed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and finds that service connection cannot be established as the Veteran did not have a disease or injury in service that caused or aggravated these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status. The Veteran was found not to have a disability that required regular aid and assistance or to be permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of alcohol abuse or hypertension, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, finding no current disability related to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and developing the claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disease. The hypertension issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg are currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7120.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted as secondary to service-connected varicose veins of the left leg.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected anxiety disorder or arteriosclerotic heart disease. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition. However, it granted an increased rating of 20% for diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and cataracts prior to October 16, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, variously diagnosed as seborrheic dermatitis and chloracne, had its onset during his period of active military service. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, thoracic aortic aneurysm, skin cancer, and residuals of stroke, was denied. The effective date for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease (IHD) is set at August 3, 2009.