Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are denied as they are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure/lung condition and amoebic dysentery have been denied as they are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence supporting these claims.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected hypertension does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings are consistently below levels that would meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for hypertension is well-grounded on the basis of mild hypertension at discharge and current diagnosis. The claims for service connection for heart disease, to include swelling of the feet, as secondary to hypertension are deferred pending further development.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $670.00, finding that recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right eye injury and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and psychiatric disability due to new evidence submitted since the August 1994 denial. However, the claims are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is well-grounded and granted it, based on evidence suggesting a history of hypertension during military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including essential hypertension, right foot navicular bone fracture, hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim and found new and material evidence, but the claim remains not well grounded as there is no medical evidence linking any of the diagnosed heart problems to military service or previously service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his arteriosclerotic heart disease and a total rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 13, 1998 for the grant of nonservice-connected pension due to lack of evidence showing he was so incapacitated that he could not file his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for a hysterectomy. The veteran was not granted any benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and cardiovascular disease as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, low back disability, fungus of the left big toenail, folliculitis of both inner thighs, and hypertension. The veteran is not entitled to any compensation for these conditions.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, aortic insufficiency, weakness of the left upper extremity, and weakness of the left lower extremity. The current effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease, hypertension, mitral valve prolapse, mitral regurgitation, supraventricular arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic heart murmur, and cardiomegaly was not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for the cause of death is not well-grounded and denied. The appellant's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and thus denied.