Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective October 31, 2006 as his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable in the year prior to his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically to attacks on the ammunition depot at Qui Nhon in Vietnam. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete information and evidence, including the need to obtain SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and glaucoma, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability prior to July 31, 2006, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back disability from July 31, 2006.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his physical disabilities, including dementia/memory loss, is established. As a result, he qualifies for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for A&A.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including residuals of pneumonia and asthma, is not considered to be related to his service. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida from August 6 to August 7, 2003 is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and his peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities are separately evaluated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that the claim for hypertension was not received prior to February 27, 2003.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death. The primary causes of death were myocardial infarction and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused or materially contributed to by any service-connected disability, including those presumed due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and asthma. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service in Vietnam did not involve duty or visitation, thus his in-service herbicide exposure cannot be presumed. The Veteran does not have a current lung disability or hypertension related to active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The issue of hypertension will be remanded to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether it was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. However, hypertension was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to active service, and therefore denied. Service connection for tendonitis of both elbows could not be established due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus are not service-connected, as they were not caused or aggravated by his active duty service nor any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently manifested by diastolic pressure readings that are predominantly 90 or less, with the use of continuous medication. He does not meet the criteria for a higher initial compensable rating.

The Veteran does not have hypertension or irritable bowel syndrome that is proximately due to his service-connected low back disability.,VA examinations did not find any evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his TDIU claim.