If you are a veteran suffering from hypertension, you may be eligible for disability benefits that include monthly compensation. Hypertension or high blood pressure is eligible for up to a 60% disability rating, meaning you may be eligible for $1,319.65 or more in monthly compensation.
To be eligible for hypertension disability benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, you will need to prove that an in-service event or injury has caused or worsened your high blood pressure. This is called establishing a service connection.
In this blog, we will briefly go through everything there is to know about the VA disability benefits for hypertension or high blood pressure. Stick around if you want to know the range of benefits you may be able to get for this condition.
Hypertension – Definition
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where you experience high pressure in your blood vessels. It is a pretty common condition that can be serious if not taken care of.
For most people, high blood pressure does not occur with any significant symptoms, and the best way to find out whether or not you have hypertension is by checking your blood pressure. However, in some cases, symptoms may appear, and the following are the most common –
- Anxiety
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nosebleeds
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty breathing
Hypertension Service Connection and Presumptive Condition
If you were exposed to Agent Orange and later developed hypertension, the VA will presume that your condition is likely to be linked to your service. Therefore, you do not have to prove a service connection to get your benefits.
In other cases, a service connection is necessary to be eligible for benefits. If you have developed hypertension within one year of being discharged from duty, the VA will presume that the condition is service-connected. If your hypertension has appeared later, you will have to get a nexus letter from a certified medical professional to prove the service connection.
VA Disability Ratings for Hypertension
Disability ratings are used by the VA to determine the amount of compensation a veteran may get depending on their condition’s severity. The higher the rating, the more monetary benefits you will get.
For rating hypertension, the VA uses diagnostic code 7101. According to the code, hypertension is rated based on diastolic pressure, which is the pressure during the resting phase between heartbeats.
Here are all the possible ratings you may get for hypertension –
- 10% Rating: A 10% rating is given to those with diastolic pressure between 100 and 109 or systolic pressure between 160 and 199.
- 20% Rating: If your diastolic pressure is anywhere from 110 to 119 or your systolic pressure is 200 or more, you will be eligible for a 20% disability rating.
- 40% Rating: When hypertension causes your diastolic pressure to be between 120 and 129, you will get a 40% rating.
- 60% Rating: This is the highest rating available for hypertension, given to veterans with a diastolic pressure of 130 or higher.
Conclusion
If you are struggling to apply for a disability claim or want to make sure your application is going to result in the highest possible rating, you can get help from the professionals at VA Disability Coach. Our experts, who have handled many cases of hypertension, can ensure your claim is going to result in the best outcome for you.