Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further development, including a new VA medical examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation counseling records and arranging a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer disease or hypertension that is related to service. The claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's hypertension was not present in service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence that it is related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted an initial noncompensable disability rating for the Veteran's hypertension, effective October 13, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by her active duty service from February 2004 to February 2008, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and facial palsy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction due to lack of penis deformity. For hypertension, there was no evidence showing systolic pressure readings of 200 or more or diastolic pressure readings of 110 or more at any time during the appeal period. For facial palsy, the Board found that the Veteran's nerve damage warranted a 10 percent evaluation based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's hypertension, which required continuous medication from the date of service connection until May 12, 2011, is rated at 10 percent. From May 12, 2011, there is insufficient evidence to determine if she continues to require medication for her hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hypertension do not warrant initial compensable ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his hypertension and related conditions were noted at entrance to service and are presumed to have existed prior to service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 1, 2009 substantive appeal was not timely filed and thus his claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for additional development and due process.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and ocular hypertension, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service. The effective date remains to be determined.

The Board found that there is no evidence of hypertension during active service or within one year after active service, and no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current hypertension to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, specifically during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 20 percent since March 11, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as 10 percent for limitation of motion and 30 percent for instability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to potential exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Veteran is required to provide additional information regarding his SSA benefits and VA medical examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Thailand and whether he had a layover in Vietnam enroute from San Francisco.