Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and assigned a 20% evaluation effective May 29, 2009. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service or service-connected disabilities, including his service-connected orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The lung disorder and neurologic disorders in both upper extremities are not related to Agent Orange exposure, but the Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt for his ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had hypertension as early as July 2009, within one year of separation from active duty service, and granted service connection based on this presumption. However, his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip tendonitis remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The issues involve exposure to Agent Orange, toxins, and jet fuel.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a back disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder. The VA examiner found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hypertension, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and chronic lung condition (claimed as bronchitis) are all granted. Service connection for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine is also granted with an initial rating of 10%. The Veteran's arthritis of the right great toe and arthritis of the left great toe each receive an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the secondary nature of these conditions to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete service records. The missing records will be sought and associated with the claim file or, if not found, the Veteran will be advised of alternative sources.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Meniere's disease, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension are being remanded due to scheduling a videoconference Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides, while stationed at the Nakhon Phanom RTAFB. The claim for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus remains unresolved as there is no evidence of Vietnam-era exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service and does not manifest within a year of discharge. The most probative evidence indicates that his hypertension is not related to or permanently worsened by his diabetes mellitus, which he takes for treatment.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a broken right ankle or any signs and symptoms thereof. The Appellant's statements regarding his injury in service are not credible, as he did not receive treatment for the right ankle during service and there are no post-service medical records indicating a current disability. Therefore, service connection for a broken right ankle cannot be established.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC. Specifically, VA examinations are needed to determine if his hypertension is related to diabetes mellitus or toxic herbicide exposure, and whether he needs aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension may be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Additionally, the need for aid and attendance of his spouse needs to be reassessed as part of this remand process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU since March 28, 2006 and his unemployability is due to the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, finding that it was not incurred in active military service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service. The Court ordered the case be remanded due to an omission regarding a May 2007 letter submitted by the Veteran's private treating medical provider.