Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation and counseling folder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to incomplete records, particularly those from the 1970s and early 2000s. The VA will attempt to obtain these records to determine if they contain relevant information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected cold injury residuals of the hands and feet.

The Veteran's cause of death was valvular disease and sepsis. The Appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, arguing that his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam caused or contributed to his death. The VA is required to seek a medical opinion on whether hypertension and diabetes are causally connected to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for hypertension with chronic renal insufficiency, lumbar spine strain, and plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, headaches, shortness of breath, hypertension, and thyroid condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology following service and concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and upper extremity nerve disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest in service or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in a 30 percent disability rating from April 29, 2007 to October 28, 2008 and a 70 percent disability rating from October 29, 2008 to May 5, 2009. Service connection was denied for sinusitis, hypertension, chronic diarrhea, heart palpitations, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral anterior uveitis with bilateral pseudophakia and hypertension have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and his erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, granting both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for hypertension and heart disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues related to a simultaneously contested claim for attorney fees. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and eye disorder to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The case will be returned to the Board for further adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for high cholesterol is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder and hypertension due to incomplete service records, conflicting medical evidence, and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, heel spurs, and arthritis of the hands. The claim for hypertension was also denied as there is no evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's disabilities are not sufficient to meet the criteria for special monthly pension at the aid and attendance rate due to his ability to dress, keep himself clean, and manage daily activities without assistance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a separate rating for hypertensive heart disease and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the earlier effective date issue.