Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition effectively prevents him from ambulating without the aid of a wheelchair, which constitutes loss of use of both feet. Therefore, he is entitled to financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was manifested by complaints of dyspnea on exertion, some left ventricular hypertrophy, and moderate to severe aortic stenosis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not show marked enlargement of the heart or more than light manual labor being precluded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's homelessness and lack of contact with his representative.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including scleroderma of the back, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus with complications, and anatomical loss of both feet. The effective dates for these benefits have also been adjusted. However, the issues involving PTSD remain on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a heart disorder, to include HTN. The decision also addressed his claim for TDIU but did not specify whether it was granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination for determining whether the Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are related to service or her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, but denied sleep apnea. The Veteran's hypertension is not yet established as a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, gout, and residuals of kidney infection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that there was no confirmed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on the basis of aggravation by service-connected disability, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, hypertension, and emphysema with bronchitis due to new evidence indicating a possible continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing the duties of a TSA baggage screener, and his current occupation is not unsuitable based on his specific employment handicap and capabilities.

The Board found that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated during active service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service connected disease or injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a cerebral vascular accident, and back disability with radiculopathy. The new evidence supports these claims by establishing that the conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate notification.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it on a presumptive basis due to its manifestation within one year of separation from service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for alopecia remains pending.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected hypertension from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper based on the evidence at the time of the reduction.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and denied service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further action.

The Board is remanding the case to provide proper VCAA notice and to readjudicate the claims of reopening service connection for left knee disability and hypertension.