VA Disability Rating Criteria For Hypertension

Many veterans are often diagnosed with hypertension, which is high blood pressure. The stress experienced during active duty can contribute to its development.

If left untreated for a long time, hypertension can result in heart abnormalities, heart failure, heart disease, strokes, aneurysms, or even heart attacks. Unfortunately, receiving benefits for hypertension from the VA can sometimes be challenging.

Symptoms Related To Hypertension

Recognizing the symptoms of hypertension is crucial. Some symptoms may include:

• Fatigue or confusion
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Severe headaches
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
• Pounding in the chest, neck or ears

Hypertension can affect your brain, your blood vessels, and your kidneys.

How Can Veterans Prove Service Connection To Hypertension?

When filing your disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is essential to establish a direct connection between your hypertension and your military service or demonstrate that it has been aggravated or caused by a pre-existing service-connected disability of the veteran.

To qualify for VA disability benefits related to hypertension, there are several steps you can take. A key initial action is collecting robust medical evidence so that it can support your claim.

To qualify for VA disability benefits for hypertension, your doctor must document the diagnosis in your medical records. Moreover, they should record your blood pressure measurements from three different days, with at least two daily readings.

For better evidence, it is advisable to have at-home daily blood pressure readings collected over some time. Additionally, obtaining a Disability Benefits Questionnaire from your doctor can be another valuable supporting evidence.

Presumptive Service Connection For hypertension

In VA disability claims, the VA will consider hypertension as service-connected only if you have received a diagnosis within one year of your release date from active duty.

Many veterans currently receive a secondary service connection for hypertension due to other service-connected disabilities, such as:

• PTSD
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea

To qualify for service connection by presumption for hypertension, it must manifest as a minimum 10 percent disability rating within one year of your release from active duty.

VA Disability Rating Criteria For Hypertension

The VA determines the percentage rating for hypertension based on its severity, primarily relying on your blood pressure reading. Here are the rating criteria:

The rating criterion is as follows:

• A 60 percent rating is granted when your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is 130 or higher.
• A 40 percent rating: diastolic pressure between 120 to 129.
• A 20 percent rating: when your diastolic pressure is 110 to 119, or your systolic pressure (the top number) is 200 or higher
• A 10 percent rating is granted for a diastolic pressure between 100 and 109 or a systolic pressure ranging from 160 to 199.

For a 10 percent rating, if your average diastolic pressure was 100 or higher before it became adequately controlled with medication, and continuous medication is necessary to manage your blood pressure, then the minimum rating is 10 percent.

Compensation & Pension (C&P) Examination For Hypertension

To be eligible for disability benefits for hypertension, you must file a claim with the VA. Subsequently, the VA will probably request a Compensation and Pension exam. During this examination, the physician will measure your blood pressure two or more times on at least three days, and the blood pressure readings must be 160/90 or higher.

After you submit your claim for benefits to the VA, they will process it and provide you with a confirmation or denial. If your benefits are denied, you can file an appeal. If your VA claim is successful, you will receive monthly compensation with compensation dating back to the time you initially filed your claim.