Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to address the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, as well as its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension, hepatitis B, and hiatal hernia with GERD are all rated based on their respective diagnostic codes. The rating for hepatitis C is changed to align with the correct diagnostic code.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a conclusion that the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder that is etiologically related to service or service-connected disability, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his psychiatric disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records. Additionally, a more comprehensive examination of the Veteran's right leg disability is required.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any of the claimed conditions resulted from VA care in September 2007, and thus denies all claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, skin cancer, residuals of a left arm injury, and hypertension. The decision found no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing hypertension was aggravated by his active duty service from March 2003 to March 2004, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension with renal involvement is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 14, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher evaluation are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD, but rather were more likely related to other factors. The bruxism/TMJ was determined to be secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's lung cancer and hypertension claims were denied as they are not service-connected. The compensable rating for his thoracotomy residuals was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine whether hypertension is secondary to or directly related to his service-connected PTSD.

The appellant seeks special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from private facilities where she received treatment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hypertension is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not increase in severity during his second period of active military service, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's claimed chest pain and hypertension were not shown to be related to his service or any period of active duty. The Board found no evidence linking the conditions to service, including a lack of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, low back disability, hernia, and deafness. The claims were also reopened based on new evidence but the service connection was not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions in the October 2010 VA examination report regarding the Veteran's hypertension.