Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected and rated at 10 percent. The left leg disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher rating warranted due to the absence of instability or other significant functional loss. The right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gout disorder and a headache disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal and hypertension disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of hypertension and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and headaches. Specifically, VA treatment records need to be obtained and a VA examination should be conducted.

The Veteran's hypertension, a right knee scar, and a pulmonary disability (including as due to exposure to asbestos) are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is granted an initial noncompensable rating for his right knee scar since April 27, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for an opinion on whether service-connected lumbar spine disabilities aggravate any heart disorders. The Veteran is scheduled for a Travel Board hearing at the local RO in Reno, Nevada.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic disability manifested by tingling and numbness in the fingers or legs, which would support service connection. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss disorder, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, eye disorder, and headache disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but denied the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of his cerebrovascular accident and hypertension. The temporary total rating issue will be deferred until further notice.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of hypertension, jaw condition, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased evaluations, and service connection were denied. The heart disability was granted an effective date of April 27, 2009, but the hearing loss and psychiatric disorder did not warrant compensable ratings. Service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol abuse and dysthymic disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective October 15, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's hyperpigmentation of the face and neck, right knee disorder, and back pain are all found to be related to his service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB). The heart disorder and hypertension were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, but the claim for DIC benefits is granted as a greater benefit than death pension benefits. The claim for accrued benefits and death pension benefits are also granted.