Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension, which is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101, has not been shown to warrant a higher rating as his blood pressure readings have consistently remained below the threshold for a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to herbicide exposure is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he set foot in Vietnam during service and thus establishes presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for an emergency room visit at Baptist Medical Center South, Jacksonville, Florida on June 4, 2012 are covered as the treatment was necessary due to a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility for treatment of his service-connected conditions were approved due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unavailability of care at VA facilities.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from June 22, 2005. The rating for his degenerative and discogenic disease of the cervical spine remains at 20 percent. For his chronic left trapezius strain, a higher rating is granted starting from August 5, 2011, while for his chronic right trapezius strain, a higher rating is also granted starting from that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and completing examinations for his knee and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For the right knee, a higher rating was not granted as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. For hypertension, an initial compensable rating was also denied due to lack of evidence showing diastolic blood pressure readings of predominantly 100 or more or systolic blood pressure 160 or more. The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of auricle was not granted as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (myocardial scars and recent ischemic changes, severe stenotic atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy) did not stem from any service-connected disability. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were not related to service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board also finds that his hypertension is secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and chronic renal failure are being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from his doctors and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for both conditions remain inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a neck disorder and migraine headaches due to lack of remaining allegations of error in law or fact. The issues of service connection for left hip disorder, sleep disorder, and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis within one year of discharge. The claims were decided on the basis of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are secondary to his service-connected residuals of PTB. The claim for colon cancer is denied as there was no chronic disease in service or continuous symptoms after service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, or bilateral pes planus. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or related to his active service, and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension and a disability of the aorta, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depression, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, a heart condition, sarcoidosis, and a back disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. The issue of service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.