Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is service-connected and granted a rating for this condition. The left eye disorder claim remains unresolved.

The Board found that the veteran's overpayment of VA benefits was not against equity and good conscience, as his fault in creating the debt contributed to its creation. Recovery would not defeat the purpose of his compensation benefits, nor result in unjust enrichment or relinquishment of valuable rights.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request and the Member who made the previous decision is no longer available. The veteran needs to be scheduled for a new hearing before a Member of the Board at the RO.

The Board denied the claims for an earlier effective date and service connection for PTSD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a claim based on secondary service connection due to PTSD. The Board also denied service connection for hypertension with postoperative residuals of right hypertensive hemorrhage as it was not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied reopening the claims for right hip disability and heart disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease including hypertension, and entitlement to increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his heart disease and hypertension were incurred during service or due to exposure to any specific hazard. The decision denied the claim.

The veteran's congestive heart failure is not considered to be a result of VA treatment, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for compensation under Title 38, United States Code, Section 1151.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased rating, service connection for hypertension and stomach disability secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral strain, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder) secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral strain, and a total rating based on individual unemployability. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new notice and evidence development provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, and the appellant is scheduled for a personal hearing at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, osteoarthritis, and prostate cancer. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy as a new and material issue, but denied the claim of service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's service-connected benign smooth muscle tumors, both kidneys, status post bilateral partial nephrectomy with renal dysfunction, stress urinary incontinence and hypertension is rated at 80 percent effective from May 13, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and right knee disability are service-connected, while his right hip disorder is not. The hypertension was determined to be related to active service, but the right hip disorder does not appear to have a direct link.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but denied all other claims. The veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disease including hypertension was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The veteran's appeal was denied for multiple conditions, including service connection claims and rating increases.

The Board has determined that the garnishment of the veteran's VA disability compensation benefits is warranted by law, as it pertains to child and spousal support obligations.