Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for further examination regarding the veteran's hypertension and heart condition.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the etiology and onset of the veteran's hypertension, particularly whether it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The AOJ should obtain any outstanding VA medical records for treatment of hypertension from April 2006 to present.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted the June 2008 examination to address whether the veteran's hypertension and heart disease are at least as likely as not related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus and PTSD. The decision also addressed his request for TDIU but did not reach a final determination on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's COPD has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a rating of 100 percent based on right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, asbestosis, and residuals of colorectal cancer (claimed as stomach problems) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including examinations to determine the etiology of any current sleep disorder, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied his claim for an increased disability rating.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues on appeal, including increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by or contributed to by his service-connected essential arterial hypertension, which substantially contributed to his renal cell cancer.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have a pending claim at the time of his death. Therefore, his surviving spouse is denied benefits for the cause of death, nonservice-connected pension eligibility, and accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed cardiovascular disability of hypertension and whether it is at least as likely as not that service-connected asbestosis either causes or aggravates this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and his bilateral hearing loss did not warrant an initial rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, hearing loss, and postoperative residuals of gastric surgery as there is no current evidence of disability or a nexus to service.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction, were not related to his military service. The service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and diplopia, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension. The veteran's hearing loss was rated at zero percent (noncompensable), while his diplopia did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Hypertension was found to be unrelated to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied both claims.