Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for laryngospasm, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's conditions are not considered service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that they are causally related to events during active service.

The Veteran's brain tumor, hypertension, and mini-strokes were not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's morbid obesity is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension, which was granted on the basis of aggravation caused by his service-connected PTSD. The RO assigned a noncompensable disability evaluation due to baseline manifestations being 10 percent. Additional development is required to obtain private medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension has not manifested in diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his National Guard service treatment records. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for tinnitus, left ear because it has been rendered moot on appeal due to a December 2010 rating decision granting this claim.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, depressive disorder, and transient ischemic attacks as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches. The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from January 23, 2007 to September 30, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury with equilibrium problems related to active military service. The claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer (status post prostatectomy), and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, ulcer disorder, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.,The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, left knee, back disorder, and chest keloid scar have been granted. The Board finds further development is necessary to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hypertension, hearing loss, or sinus disorder.

The Veteran's condition meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including leg pain, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, right hip strain with chronic pain and limitation of motion (LOM), status post operative repair, tear medial meniscus and osteochondritis dissecans right knee with chronic pain, degenerative arthritis with LOM in flexion and extension with incomplete extension, status post operative total knee replacement left knee with chronic pain, diffuse degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with partial lumbarization of S1 with chronic pain, and varying LOM. The Veteran is legally blind and requires assistance for daily activities such as cooking.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for kidney cancer and hypertension. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.