VA Disability for Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Connecting to Service & Rates
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a silent but serious health condition that affects many Veterans. Often, it shows no symptoms until it leads to complications like heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, or vision problems. If you’re a Veteran, your hypertension may be directly related to your service, presumed to be service-connected (such as through Agent Orange exposure), or secondary to another service-connected condition. This means you may be eligible for VA disability benefits.
This guide will explain how to establish a service connection for hypertension, detail the VA’s rating schedule based on blood pressure readings, and discuss common secondary conditions that may arise from this widespread health issue.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is a chronic condition where the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high.
- Systolic pressure (top number): Pressure when your heart beats
- Diastolic pressure (bottom number): Pressure when your heart rests between beats
A normal reading is less than 120/80 mmHg. For VA purposes, hypertension is defined as a diastolic pressure predominantly 90mm or greater, or a systolic pressure predominantly 160mm or greater.
How to Establish Service Connection for Hypertension
Direct Service Connection
You may qualify if your hypertension began during your military service or was directly caused or aggravated by an in-service event, injury, or illness.
- In-Service Onset: Service Treatment Records (STRs) show a diagnosis or consistent high blood pressure readings during service.
- In-Service Event/Aggravation: Combat stress, trauma, or documented high blood pressure during periods of high stress may serve as a direct link.
Presumptive Service Connection (Agent Orange & PACT Act)
If you were exposed to Agent Orange, the PACT Act now presumes hypertension is service-connected for eligible Veterans. This means you do not need to prove a direct link if you served in qualifying locations and timeframes.
For more detailed information on Agent Orange exposure and its associated conditions, see “Agent Orange Exposure: A Guide to Health Risks and Compensation.”
Secondary Service Connection
Hypertension can be service-connected as a secondary condition if it is caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability, such as:
- PTSD, anxiety, or chronic stress
- Kidney disease
- Sleep apnea (strong two-way relationship)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity (if secondary to a service-connected condition)
- Medication side effects (from treatment for other service-connected conditions)
Learn more about common secondary conditions and their roles with our article: “Understanding VA Secondary Conditions: A Guide for Veterans.”
The Medical Evidence You Need
To support your hypertension case, you’ll need:
- Current Medical Diagnosis: From a qualified medical professional
- Consistent Blood Pressure Readings: VA requires readings on two or more occasions on at least three different days (diastolic predominantly 90+ or systolic 160+)
- Medication Records: Documentation of prescribed medications and their effectiveness
- Service Records: DD214 and STRs to confirm service details and in-service blood pressure issues
- Medical Nexus Letter: For direct or secondary claims (if not presumptive), a physician’s opinion linking your hypertension to service or another service-connected condition
- Personal & Lay Statements: Your own account and statements from family, friends, or coworkers about your symptoms and their impact
- Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ): Completed by your treating physician for accurate VA rating
VA Rating Criteria for Hypertension (Diagnostic Code 7101)
The VA rates hypertension under Diagnostic Code 7101, “Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension).” The rating criteria are based on consistent blood pressure readings and the need for continuous medication.
- 60% Rating: Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more.
- 40% Rating: Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more.
- 20% Rating: Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, OR systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.
- 10% Rating: Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, OR systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, OR minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control.
- 0% Rating (Non-compensable): If your blood pressure is controlled by medication and does not meet the 10% criteria, you may receive a 0% rating, which still establishes service connection and allows for treatment.
For more on heart conditions generally, see “VA Disability for Heart Conditions: Medical Evidence & Documentation.”
Common Secondary Conditions to Service-Connected Hypertension
Hypertension can contribute to or worsen many other serious health conditions. If you have service-connected hypertension, you may also be eligible for benefits for these secondary conditions:
- Heart disease: Coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias
- Kidney disease: High blood pressure is a leading cause
- Stroke: Major risk factor; residuals rated separately
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Reduced circulation in limbs
- Retinopathy: Vision problems or blindness
- Erectile dysfunction (ED): Impaired blood flow
- Cognitive impairment/vascular dementia: Reduced brain blood flow
- Aneurysms: Weakening of blood vessel walls
- Sleep apnea: Bidirectional link with hypertension
- Metabolic syndrome: Cluster of conditions increasing risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes
To claim a secondary condition, you’ll need a diagnosis and a medical nexus linking it to your service-connected hypertension.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
While it’s rare to receive a 100% rating for hypertension alone, severe hypertension, especially when combined with other service-connected conditions, may qualify you for TDIU. This provides compensation at the 100% disability rate if your service-connected conditions prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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Disclaimer:
This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. We do not prepare or prosecute VA claims. Each individual’s case may differ significantly. Consult qualified medical and legal experts for personalized evaluation and support.
