Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete opinions regarding whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and/or hypertension. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a hearing and further development is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and skin rash are not related to service or due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and PTSD. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus or PTSD. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's diabetes did not cause his hypertension.

The Veteran's IBS, HH, and GERD are currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome. The criteria for a higher rating (60%) require symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health. None of these symptoms have been shown.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101. The criteria for a higher rating (20%) require diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. None of these conditions have been shown.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam. His hypertension may also be related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow condition, left ankle condition, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for right elbow condition. Service connection was also denied for left ankle condition and hypertension due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal was partially granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for left foot Morton's neuroma from September 1, 2010. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus type 2. This includes obtaining missing private treatment records from Dr. E.D., arranging for a VA medical examination, and providing another opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his currently service-connected conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis, migraine headaches, and erectile dysfunction, is being remanded. Additionally, the issue of special monthly compensation based on need for Aid and Attendance/Housebound status is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, and a compensable disability rating for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, including as due to service-connected PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU remain pending. The Board has ordered additional development on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the creation and notification of an overpayment of pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for bronchial asthma were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected bronchial asthma, nor did he provide any medical evidence to support this claim. For the hypertension claim, the failure to report for VA examinations is considered a basis for denial. For the increased rating claim, the Veteran failed to appear for VA examinations scheduled in connection with his reopened claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently suffer from hearing loss in either ear, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,After a thorough review of the evidence, including the Veteran's STRs and post-service medical records, the examiner diagnosed sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. However, the objective audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's right upper and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma was not due to herbicide exposure and did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation.,There is no evidence showing hypertension in service, nor within the first post-service year. The Board concluded there was no direct service connection for hypertension.