Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 12, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating due to increased social and occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, seeking service treatment records from Martin Army Community Hospital and MacDill Air Force Base, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's groin muscle strain and whether her hypertension was aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity amputations and prostate cancer, cause him to require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, skin rash, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, tingling feet, cardiovascular disorders, and back disorder. The appeal is considered on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure to notify the appellant of a previously scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's hypertension has been manifested by a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that requires continuous medication for control, warranting an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, and he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. His erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for residuals of a right knee injury. The claims for left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability have all been denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current heart conditions are not related to his service, including a grade I mitral systolic murmur detected in October 1956. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates, and CUE motions. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date prior to October 30, 1992, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was dismissed as a matter of law. The March 1993 rating decision was found to have been clearly and unmistakably erroneous in not assigning an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's vision loss is not service-connected, as it is due to his service-connected diabetes. His hypertension is not service-connected and cannot be presumed related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran does not meet the income requirements for nonservice-connected special monthly pension (SMP).

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for cholesterol, short-term memory loss, diabetes mellitus, eligibility for a non-service connected pension, and TDIU. The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and attempting to contact the appellant's unit. The issues of service connection for bilateral flat feet and hypertension remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and review of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of an in-service stressor and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder. If service connection is established, another VA examination will be conducted to assess whether any current hypertension or cardiovascular disability are caused by or aggravated by the service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension was granted on August 31, 2010, the date VA added ischemic heart disease/ coronary artery disease as a presumptive disability associated with herbicide exposure. The effective date is set at this date.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine if hypertension is secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease and/or posttraumatic stress disorder, and for consideration of a secondary etiological relationship between hypertension and PTSD.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective November 1, 2011, as the reduction was improper due to failure to observe applicable regulations regarding ratings that have been in place for more than five years.