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 deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of current acquired psychiatric disability or mental anguish. Blood pressure readings were not consistently above 120/80 diastolic, failing to meet criteria for hypertension. The veteran's hyperpigmentation was not found to be related to his service-connected condition and the scar was deemed non-disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, hyperpigmentation of the right lower eyelid (residual of hematoma), laceration scar of the right cheek
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0216559
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0216559.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma but denied it for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
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