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VA Disability For Hypertension

Legally reviewed by Brendan Garcia , Owner and Lead Attorney

At VetLaw, we know how overwhelming it can be to apply for VA disability benefits. The requirements and forms always seem to be changing. On top of that, you are dealing with the day-to-day stresses of your illness or injury. We can help you appeal your claim after receiving a denial from Veteran Affairs for your service-related hypertension.

Not only are we lawyers, but we’re also veterans. That gives us some unique perspectives. We know what it’s like to transition back to civilian life. And, we know how confusing it is to navigate the VA system. Our firm exists because we believe that every veteran who is eligible for disability benefits should receive them.

Our lawyers can help you start your initial claim or assist you in pursuing an appeal. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, and only collects a fee if we secure benefits for you. Contact us today.

DID YOU RECEIVE A DENIAL FROM VETERAN AFFAIRS FOR YOUR HYPERTENSION CLAIM?

Unfortunately, VA disability claim denials are common. Your claim may have been denied because:

  • You sent in the wrong form. The VA has a staggering number of forms on their website and continues to add new forms and new versions of forms all the time. It’s not difficult to accidentally fill out the wrong form or an older version of the form, which often results in VA rejecting the claim or the appeal, sometimes without even notifying you of the rejection.
  • You missed an important deadline. Maybe the VA requested more information, but you didn’t send it in time. We understand that life happens. When you hire our firm, our attorneys keep track of all of the paperwork deadlines. All you need to do is attend any medical appointments.
  • You didn’t prove that your hypertension is service-connected. The decision-makers at the VA don’t know you or what you’ve been through. All they have in front of them is a stack of paperwork. Our lawyers help veterans with their disability claims all across the country. We know what information the VA needs in order to establish service-related connections.

The good news is, a denial isn’t the final word. Veterans have the right to appeal their VA disability claims for hypertension.

We can help you with your disability for hypertension appeal, even if we didn’t work on your initial claim. Our lawyers know what a strong disability benefits application looks like. We’ll do the hard work of making sure your application is complete and well-documented.

HOW DOES THE VA RATE HYPERTENSION?

The VA will assign a disability rating based on the severity of your hypertension. These disability ratings are expressed as percentages. To determine your disability for hypertension rating, the VA considers:

  • Any medical records that you provide
  • The results of your VA claim exam, if you were required to have one
  • Information from other sources, such as a “buddy statement” (officially called a Statement in Support of Claim)

The VA’s ratings for hypertension are covered in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38, § 4.104, diagnostic code 7101.

Veterans with hypertension may receive a VA disability rating of 60%, 40%, 20% or 10%. When the VA determines your disability rating, they look at your systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. The VA’s requirements for disability benefits may be different from how other organizations define hypertension.

In addition to hypertension, some veterans have other service-related illnesses or injuries. In those cases, the VA considers all service-connected conditions to calculate a combined disability rating of up to 100%.

COMMON CAUSES OF SERVICE-RELATED HYPERTENSION

For some veterans, the very nature of their enlistment can contribute to hypertension and lead to service connection. When you are on active duty, there are many things about your environment that are out of your control:

  • Chronic stress
  • Poor or interrupted sleep
  • Diet

In addition, family history can play a role in whether you have a greater risk of developing hypertension.

Some veterans will experience service-connected secondary hypertension. That means that another service-connected condition either caused or aggravated your high blood pressure. Research has shown a link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hypertension, for example. Hypertension may also be related, or secondary to diabetes or other conditions which interfere with your body’s metabolism.

HOW IS SERVICE CONNECTION ESTABLISHED FOR HYPERTENSION?

In order to approve you for disability benefits, the VA must be able to establish service connection for your hypertension. Service connection can be proven in one of two ways:

  • Your hypertension was incurred during active military service; or
  • Your existing hypertension was made worse (“aggravated”) during active military service

You must be able to prove, through medical records and other documentation, when your symptoms first occurred.

Hypertension is unlike many other health conditions. Most people do not experience symptoms, and you can’t tell just by looking at someone if they have hypertension. That’s why the American Heart Association and other health organizations call hypertension, “The Silent Killer.” The only way to know if you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN YOU GET VA DISABILITY FOR HYPERTENSION?

Yes, you may be eligible for VA disability for hypertension benefits if:

  • Your condition meets the VA’s diagnostic requirements, and
  • You can prove service connection

You can contact our office if you have any questions about your eligibility.

WHAT IS VA COMPENSATION FOR HYPERTENSION?

The amount of money you could receive depends on the disability rating that the VA assigns to you. At this point in time, the highest disability rating you could receive just for hypertension is 60%.

However, hypertension often leads to the development of other diseases or disabilities. If you have other service-connected illnesses or injuries, whether related to hypertension or not, that would be factored into your overall disability rating.

HOW DO YOU PROVE HYPERTENSION IS SERVICE-CONNECTED?

When the VA reviews your application, they look for proof that your hypertension started when you were on active duty. Or, that you had existing hypertension that worsened during your active duty.

Most people with hypertension, including veterans, do not experience any symptoms. The only way to confirm that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked.

Some veterans will experience secondary hypertension, which means their hypertension is caused by another service-connected illness or injury.

CONTACT A VA DISABILITY LAWYER TODAY

A Veteran Disability Lawyer’s role is to assist you throughout the confusing and often frustrating appeals process if you have received a denial on your claim for service-connected hypertension. Generally, you need to be denied at least once before an attorney can assist, but once a lawyer is involved they will often be able to quickly determine what needs to be done in order to prove entitlement.

If your VA disability claim for hypertension has been denied, be sure to contact the VA Accredited Attorneys at VetLaw right away to help make sure you get the entitlement you deserve.