Is hypertension a disability that allows you to acquire a veteran benefit? Or do VA disability ratings for hypertension exist? These are some of the questions veterans may ask themselves if they feel that they have conditions related to hypertension.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the result of excessive blood flow via the arteries and may result in a heart attack or stroke if left with no medical supervision.
It is a common ailment that affects many veterans, and VA claims are highly possible, especially if it is proven to be service-related. You may visit our page and seek the help of our veterans’ coaches to help you in this process.
But first, let us uncover the common signs of hypertension in order to guarantee and understand if you are eligible for a VA rating for hypertension.
Common Symptoms of Hypertension
The most common ailments or health issues related to hypertension or high blood pressure are the following:
- Vision Impairment
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Headaches
- Urinating Blood
These diagnoses are common among those with hypertension. It is advisable to seek immediate help to avoid further complications.
Situations in the Military That Can Cause High Blood Pressure
There are various circumstances, especially during your service in the military, that can result in high blood pressure, or hypertension.
Prolonged Level of Elevated Stress: During service, soldiers are most likely to encounter physical, emotional, and mental challenges that can lead to extreme stress. It can result in a high stress level that can affect blood pressure.
Combat-Related Injuries: Injuries obtained in combat may result in an alteration of the body’s inflammatory response, along with mental and physical changes that may affect the service member’s health after sustaining an injury.
Secondary Conditions for Hypertension
There are a variety of conditions that can be secondary to hypertension. It is an excellent way to obtain additional veteran benefits. Here are the following conditions that are considered secondary disabilities:
PTSD
Severe trauma is the root cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition. Service members who have PTSD are susceptible to hypertension due to its fear-related symptoms, such as anxiety.
Anxiety
Veterans with anxiety have a high percentage of gaining hypertension due to stress that is outside of the person’s control. It results in an increase in a person’s heart rate and ultimately increases blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea
It is a sleep disorder that pauses breathing during sleep. Stress hormones release whenever you stop breathing, which can result in increasing your blood pressure.
Chronic kidney disease
Kidney diseases stop removing waste and other fluids from your blood. This medical condition causes buildup that results in high blood pressure, which is common among veterans.
It is important to note that a one-rated disability does not mean that VA will add all of your ratings; VA will use a dashboard of your combined ratings to avoid resulting in a total of 100%. If you have two or more disabilities, the VA will sum up your scores, which will create a final disability rating for finalized veteran benefits.
Presumptive Conditions for Agent Orange
The Agent Orange herbicide is notorious for its hazardous chemicals that result in various physical and mental injuries. Veterans exposed to these chemicals, especially during the Vietnam War, are eligible for presumptive conditions, including hypertension.
VA Rating for Hypertension
High blood pressure VA rating is based on a percentage that ranges from 10% to 60%. The VA percentage for hypertension will use a diastolic pressure, which is a lower number on one of the two components of blood pressure that measures the minimum pressure in the arteries during heart valve relaxation. Here is the table for the VA hypertension rating.
| Diastolic Pressure | VA Rating |
| 130 or Higher | 60% |
| 120 – 129 | 40% |
| 110 – 119 | 20% |
| 100 – 109 | 10% |
Receiving compensation will require you to have a high blood pressure VA disability rating of 10%.
Proving Hypertension is Service Connected
Qualifying for a VA disability rating for hypertension requires proof that your ailments are service-connected. You must supply the following documentation:
- Documents indicating a diagnosis of hypertension or high blood pressure
- Readings that indicate elevated blood pressure. Note that measurements should span for up to three days, with each day indicating an abnormally high level of blood pressure.
- Confirmation that your blood pressure increased one year after your service.
Filing a Claim
Filing a claim for a VA disability for high blood pressure requires submitting an intent to the VA. It involves collecting your medical information, such as your diagnoses and documents, from your visits connected to your condition and to your service.
You will then need to submit the claim with any medical data and additional forms that are unique to your condition. Most often, the VA may require you to undergo a compensation and pension (C&P) exam if the evidence for your claim is insufficient. Further exams are also likely to prove if your condition has worsened.
Seeking a Veterans Coach for Help
If it is proven that you have all the possible symptoms of hypertension, you are eligible for a benefit claim, and we are here to help.
You may book a FREE strategy call to directly reach our veteran coaches by clicking this link. You may also visit our VA claims assistance page to learn more about us.