Hypertension (high blood pressure) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for readjudication due to a lack of opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravated his hypertension.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and kidney failure were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within the first post-service year. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied due to a rebuttal of the presumption that it is related to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection was not granted for bilateral anterior chamber angle narrowing or anemia.

The Board found that the veteran's right eye herpes zoster did not result in any active pathology and therefore denied a compensable evaluation. The hypertension claim was remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, hypertension, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are denied. The claim for a neck injury/disorder is granted with the reopening of the claim.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection with a 40% disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the veteran's claims for hypertension and a skin condition. The case is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for service connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for PTSD, but denied his secondary service connection claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a skin condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, non-service connected pension benefits, and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of the aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound. The veteran does not have a single permanent disability rated as 100 percent disabling, nor do his disabilities render him incapable of following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected hypertension, finding that the medical evidence did not show diastolic pressure readings predominately 110 or more or systolic pressure readings predominately 200 or more.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for residuals, subarachnoid hemorrhage due to right middle cerebral artery aneurysm with right arm deficit associated with hypertension effective April 27, 2002. The veteran's claim for earlier effective date was denied as the earliest date of receipt of claim is September 14, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions are directly related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected anxiety disorder and his hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, cirrhosis of the liver (claimed as liver problems), melanoma of the right leg, and a right leg scar. The claim for hypertension was granted but secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for hypertension.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) by reason of needing regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria based on his medical conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the threshold minimum percentage standards and thus cannot receive a TDIU. The AMC noted that there is no evidence showing the veteran has been found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of his service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current conditions were related to his service-connected hypertension or had onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to service and whether kidney cancer was caused or aggravated by it. The AMC must also consider whether service connection is warranted for kidney cancer on direct and secondary bases.