Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension as secondary or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a gynecological condition to include residuals of hysterectomy for carcinoma in situ, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any other basis.

The Board has reopened several claims and remanded them for further development, including those related to the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, hypertension, PTSD, left wrist disorder, right ear disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and left elbow disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including a bilateral foot disorder, left knee disorder, hiatal hernia, residuals of pilonidal cyst, residuals of cholecystectomy, right shoulder disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, asthma, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in his need for regular aid and attendance, including the inability to dress or undress himself, the inability to attend to his hygiene, the need to frequently adjust any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, the inability to feed himself or attend to the wants of nature, the incapacity to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment; and the Veteran is not bedridden.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for tinnitus, as the Veteran was not credible regarding his in-service noise exposure leading to tinnitus. For hypertension, the Board noted that the medical evidence did not show predominantly diastolic pressure of 110 or more or systolic pressure of 200 or more, which would warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed after further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by these conditions within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted based on direct service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include restoration of a 40 percent disability rating, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for TDIU benefits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently being considered for service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II with hyperlipidemia and bilateral iliac stenosis, status-post stenting. The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequate opinion provided by the April 2008 VA examiner regarding whether hypertension was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left knee disability status post surgery. The flat feet/foot disability (pes planus) was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right eye disability residual to embolic stroke, and clogging of the right carotid artery as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Medical evidence did not support a finding of separate disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sleep apnea are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been rated as noncompensable since September 2006. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 10% disability evaluation for hypertension, given the need for continuous medication and diastolic readings above 100 without medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with an examination and must provide an adequate rationale for all opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his major depressive disorder, did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 10, 2005. As of that date, he is in receipt of special monthly compensation at the level of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i).