Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including residuals of a heart attack, grade I mitral systolic murmur, hypertension, paroxysmal atrial flutter, and chest pain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and IBS were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for chronic kidney disease and gout have been granted.,Chronic kidney disease was granted secondary to hypertension, with an effective date of November 22, 2010. Gout was granted as secondary to chronic kidney disease from hypertension, with an effective date of April 30, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder and hypertension were not related to service, and denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD. The examiner must consider any additional service treatment records and acknowledge that there is limited or suggestive evidence of an association between hypertension and exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from November 3, 2007 to August 10, 2009 due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that his diabetes mellitus and related neuropathy, along with his low back disability, made him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD may have contributed to his death due to cardiovascular disorders, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension, headache syndrome, and pulmonary embolism are rated at their maximum levels. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by fatigue, hair loss, bilateral hand tremors, or bilateral arm weakness. Service connection for cervical spine condition is granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been granted, effective May 31, 2012. The Veteran is now entitled to a combined 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, effective May 4, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and therefore grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis. The issue of chronic renal failure was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of a thyroid disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA examiner's opinion to determine if the Veteran's current hypertension and diabetes mellitus were caused or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for updated VA treatment records, a VA examination for hypertension, and VA examinations for condyloma accuminata and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including bipolar disorder, hypertension, skin cancer, and residuals of fractured pelvis and left femoral head dislocation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD with alcohol abuse and service connection for hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that no formal or informal claim was received within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's residuals of a stroke associated with hypertension do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from January 3, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; skin disorder, including psoriatic arthritis; liver disorder, including cirrhosis; portal hypertension; and esophageal disorder prior to a decision by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a gastrointestinal disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any incident therein. The denial is based on presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The claim of gastrointestinal disorders is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic condition other than hypertension.