Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2002

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as there were no unpaid benefits due and payable to her at the time of her husband's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and found that new evidence was submitted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the feet remain denied as not well-grounded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and heart disease including swelling of the feet secondary to hypertension due to lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden or unable to care for his daily personal needs, and thus he does not qualify for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's death was not proximately due to or the result of a condition incurred or aggravated during service. The requirements for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38 have also not been met.

The Board denied service connection for cervical stenosis, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, hypertension, and prostate cancer with prostectomy as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart disorder, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are not related to his military service or the systolic heart murmur noted on separation examination. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted a non-compensable evaluation for residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, did not grant earlier effective date for hypertension, and denied compensable evaluations for hyperpigmentation of the right lower eyelid and laceration scar of the right cheek.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his overall condition, which is not one of helplessness requiring the aid and attendance of another person.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension is fairly well controlled with diastolic pressures below 100 and systolic pressures predominately below 160, thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that his lung and heart disease were attributable to his use of tobacco products during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence showing an increase in disability or a need for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease is not supported by new and material evidence, thus denying the reopening of these claims.

The veteran's vision disorder, including pterygium of the left eye and pseudoaphakia of the right eye, was not incurred in service. However, his hypertension is considered to have been incurred during service. The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been granted a 40% rating effective from October 12, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, and the residuals of a pneumothorax. The evidence did not show any current disability resulting from the reported inservice pneumothorax or establish that the veteran's cardiovascular disease was related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD). The denial was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a fall (claimed as brain injury with secondary stroke) and hypertension, finding no evidence to support these claims.