Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his hypertension is presumed to have been incurred in service. The benefit of doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran for hypertension.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and private treatment records. The service connection secondary to rheumatic heart disease with aortic stenosis and cardiac murmur issue is also inextricably intertwined and will be addressed as part of the TDIU review.

The Veteran's seven service connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a), and his combined rating is currently at 80 percent, effective from September 2011.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for hypertension, as it was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and is not related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a noncompensable rating, effective July 14, 2008. The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension and anxiety disorder prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records, provide a VA examination for all claimed conditions, and determine the nature and etiology of each condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent. The current ratings are appropriate based on the clinical evidence showing no need for insulin or regulation of activities due to diabetes, and no specific restrictions related to hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities qualify him for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension/hypertensive heart disease/hypertensive renal disease and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service or a service-connected disability (diabetes).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertensive cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension, is related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a comprehensive examination to consider all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their combined effect on his employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran currently has such a condition.,Ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of exposure to herbicides during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of a Travel Board hearing and VA examinations to address his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability evaluation for chronic headaches was granted, and a 30 percent rating has been assigned since August 1, 2006. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent since February 2007, with the effective date remaining null as it pertains to this appeal. Dry eye syndrome does not match any specific diagnostic codes in the rating schedule and was evaluated under a closely related disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and hypertension are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues will be reconsidered after these records have been obtained.

The Board finds that the appellant was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 22, 2007. As such, an effective date earlier than October 22, 2007 for a TDIU is not factually ascertainable.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including opinions regarding the etiology of his hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is granted.