0000010049 00000 n If youve been denied a VA hypertension diagnosis in the past on this basis, you can consider filing for a supplemental claim with the evidence outlined above. 0000002249 00000 n This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. 0000000016 00000 n Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Was the veterans initial diagnosis of Hypertension or Isolated Systolic Hypertension confirmed by blood pressure readings taken 2 or more times on at least 3 different days? As an example, say a Veteran has been able to service-connect Irritable Bowel Syndrome (DC 7319). #5. The maximum scheduler rating for High Blood Pressure is 60 percent, which means your diastolic pressure is predominantly 130 or higher. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Each of these veterans benefits have different eligibility criteria so be Common Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure: VA Rating for High Blood Pressure: Basic Eligibility Criteria. Medication can play a critical role in helping veterans alleviate the symptoms of their service-connected disabilities. Does the veterans Hypertension or Isolated Systolic Hypertension impact his/her ability to work? The connection between the two can work the opposite way as well. As a result, his readings will be "normal" due to all the meds. Keep in mind the VA checks were after being on medication for high blood pressure for over 4 years. 0000085761 00000 n It measures the pressure as blood leaves the heart. The same concept applies in the human body, where arteries sustain inflammation as a precursor to blockages and heart attacks, the heart grows too large and becomes ineffective, and the kidneys suffer slow, quiet damage, among many other negative effects. Several conditions listed in the Schedule of Ratings list medication use in their rating criteria. If the diagnostic code for a condition does not mention medication, andwith or without ita veteran currently meets the criteria outlined in the Schedule of Ratings to receive benefits for the disability, the veteran will continue to qualify for VA benefits. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Remember the VA disability compensation system provides veterans with tax-free monetary relief for theaverage impairment of earnings capacity. Call today or fill out our online contact form to get started. The American Heart Association (AHA) has said that as many as 50% of all patients with sleep apnea may have underlying hypertension, and many patients with hypertension, particularly resistant hypertension, may also have OSA. Hypertension VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation Page . You can find him at clinicious.com or on his LinkedIn profile, A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide, currently recognized presumptive conditions, Agent Orange Exposure and Lymphoma | VA Disability, Presumptive Hypertension Is a Landmark Decision From the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. In 2012, the CAVC ruled in the case of Jones v. Shinseki that the VA must rate a veterans disability without including the effects of medication unless the Schedule of Ratings explicitly mentioned medicine in the diagnostic code for the condition. The following are a list of common questions asked at a C&P exam for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), based on theDBQ for Hypertension. There are 3 primary ways a veteran can get a VA disability rating for High Blood Pressure: #1: Direct Service Connection for High Blood Pressure with a VA rating of 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60%. The lowest rating for the condition is 10%, and it lists minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control as one of the reasons for being given the rating. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. We are Veterans helping Veterans!Become an Elite Member and work with our Veteran Coaches to get the rating you deserve! For VA purposes, hypertension as a disability is defined as 90 or higher for the diastolic number and 160 or higher for systolic. In this post, well reveal and explain how to download copies of your VA benefit letters online. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. CURRENT BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS (SUFFICIENT IF VETERAN HAS A PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED DIAGNOSIS OF . Describe the history, including onset and course, of the veterans High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) condition? Note (3):Evaluate hypertension separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease. To understand why this is harmful, imagine a hose filled with a pressure much higher than it was rated for. Asthma, which often requires medication, is rated under diagnostic code 6602. VA uses 38 CFR 4.119, Diagnostic Code 7913 for diabetes mellitus type 2. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. endstream endobj 1521 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[91 1390]/Length 55/Size 1481/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream The VA rates High Blood Pressure underCFR Title 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101 Hypertension at 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60% depending upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms. Having said that, every once in a while, you run across a rating official who is looking for reasons to deny or reduce your claim rather than reasons to grant what you rate. Keep this in-mind when talking to your doctor, sourcing a Buddy Letter, writing a Statement in Support of a Claim, or attending a C&P Exam. Your High Blood Pressure was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service, #3. These ratings also reference the general rating formula for diseases of the eye. <<8E4B8C960726A8499E107803A9E016BA>]/Prev 425860/XRefStm 1837>> ), Other medical conditions like diabetes, tumors, sleep apnea, and thyroid conditions, Eating unhealthy foods that are high in sodium, Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine. How Does the VA Rate High Blood Pressure? Yes, High Blood Pressure is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60% depending upon the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms as well as how those symptoms affect your Occupational and Social Impairment meaning your work, life, and social functioning. The severe form of IBS is rated at 30% and the moderate form of IBS is rated by the VA at 10%. Technically, you need more than half of your readings to meet the 10% criteria. While the reason why the dioxin chemical in AO causes high blood pressure hasnt been proven, it is theorized to be a result of the dioxin binding with a specific type of receptor (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) commonly found in blood vessels. The reason why this decision is so important is the scope of its impact. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm. can be a cause and a consequence of hypertension. Talk to Us About Your Claim:(866) 232-5777. Lets take a look at a Sample VA Disability Claim: Your email address will not be published. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 VA disability claims for diabetes mellitus can vary from extremely severe to much more minor cases depending on the advancement of the medical condition. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Your email address will not be published. VA rating for High Blood Pressure. What conditions are secondary to hypertension? VA disability for High Blood Pressure has ratings of 10 percent, 20 percent, 40 percent, or 60 percent depending on the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms. All Rights Reserved. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of hypertension. VA Disability Ratings for High Blood Pressure - Woods and Woods, LLC I have high blood pressure that has been measured at 220/110 in a Dr's office. What is the VA disability rating for hypothyroidism? Will I lose VA benefits if medicine improves my condition? Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. No. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Hyperparathyroidism is rated under diagnostic code 7904. The VA has a responsibility to Help you Get the Highest SupportableRating inYour VA Disability Claim. New Hypertension Treatment Guidelines Veterans Need To Know The VA's Ratings for Diabetes - Explained - Hill & Ponton, P.A. xref I'm sure I would not have received these awards if it wasn't for Woods and Woods. This post explains VA ratings for hypertension and related conditions like hypertensive vascular disease. Veterans may see a loss or decrease in VA benefits if the condition (without taking into consideration the beneficial effects of medication) improves. If you have high blood pressure related to your military service, you want to understand how the VA rates the condition, even if youre already on medication to control it. 2. of . If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. hb```b``cd`c`bd@ AV(^ro4T' euCSWX c6#NA@O$O Also, veterans over the age of 55 are rarely sent for reexaminations. Of course, every once in a while, we would come across the Admin or Training Chief who acted as if the money to buy Skilcraft pens remember those things was coming out of his/her own pocket. hA 04q\GcwzC. The VA rating for high blood pressure is anywhere from 10% to 60%, depending on how high the veterans blood pressure readings are. In general, the more severe your symptoms, the higher the VA rating youll receive. By law, when determining the percentage for your rating the VA can only consider the criteria contained in the Diagnostic Code for the given disability to do otherwise is error. #2. Medical evidence must link the primary and secondary service-connected impairments, or the secondary impairment must link to another service-connected health concern. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? If youre already on medication for hypertension, youll likely need to include those medical records (including blood pressure readings) in your claim. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! <<, Brian Reeseis a VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, andfounder of VA Claims InsiderThe Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.. According to the Mayo Clinic, hypertension is a common condition in veterans whereby the long-term force of the high blood pressure against your artery walls can cause a variety of health problems, such as heart disease or stroke. 0000005309 00000 n The VA does have the option to reevaluate disabilities every 2 to 5 years and assign updated ratings. In general, the more severe your symptoms, the higher the VA rating youll receive for high blood pressure. Making the Sausage: Heres what you need to know about new VA Claims regulations. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. The Reasonable Doubt Rule, also known as the Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine, means that the evidence provided by the claimant/beneficiary (or obtained on his/her behalf) must only persuade the decision maker that each factual matter is at least as likely as not.. 1522 0 obj <>stream You may also have another serious health condition that requires medical attention. Posted by Berry Law on April 24, 2020 in Medical. Within that framework, then, there are ACC/AHA Guidelines specific to HTN. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Now that its on the list of presumptive conditions after decades of effort, this will positively affect the many veterans and service members exposed during service who are now suffering hypertensions ill effects. 49, 53 (1990). Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 The codes state that if continuous medication is required, the VA will give the minimum rating of 10%. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. It will require them to provide medication documentation of their original blood pressure readings that caused the physician to prescribe the blood pressure medication. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. People with hypertension may worry about their physical health, causing anxiety. PTSD results from experiencing traumatic events and an inability to emotionally process those happenings. VA Disability for High Blood Pressure ranges from 10% to 60%, with breaks at 20% and 40%, depending on the severity of your symptoms. It lists Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a CAUSE of secondary hypertension, with resistant hypertension being one of the clinical indications. I take 130mg daily, BP is controlled and my rating is 0%. In 2019 and 2020 I received numerous award letters in my favor and two were backdated to 2011. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 More than half of individuals with hypertension experience it, which causes sleep deprivation. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on August 31, 2022 by Mike Woods Last Updated on March 9, 2023. %PDF-1.7 % Can the VA consider whether your medications are providing some relief when determining your degree of disability? It's that simple. He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. High Blood Pressure is often referred to as a silent killer because you typically dont know that you have it, and yet, its a significant risk factor for heart attack and stroke. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately! If yes, describe the frequency and severity of diastolic blood pressure elevation. Typically, this means medical evidence of high blood pressure readings above normal over an extended period. Undiagnosed, the symptoms of IBS might be a component of Gulf War Illness. New Rule allows Presumptive Service Connection for Veterans particulate matter (burn pit) claims. High blood pressure can occur for years without any . Passed into law in August of 2022, the Honoring our PACT Act piece of VA legislation added hypertension to its list of diagnoses presumed to be caused by exposure to the tactical herbicide known as Agent Orange (AO), making eligibility for disability benefits much easier. Please complete this form to send us your message. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is conceptually simple: its the phenomenon of too much pressure being exerted against the walls of your arteries and veins. I had 6 verifiable stressors in my military records . With prescribed medication, our hypothetical Veterans condition moderates from a severe form of the disease to a milder form. The main issue with Agent Orange was its contamination with a chemical called 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic dioxin currently known. LIFETIME Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, Quarterly Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, Annual Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, granting a service-connected disability rating, disabled if you are taking insulin for diabetes, sleep apnea is gone once you start using a CPAP, assist you in proving the highest lawful rate that you are entitled to, 2012 decision of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, HOWyou try to showthe elements of service-connection, difference between a grant and a denial of a claim, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). I am sick, and the VA was stalling. Nathan is a Nurse Practitioner, Disability Examiner, and Freelance Writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. In my original claim filed last Dec I was awarded a 30% disability for an unknown anxiety disorder, however my high blood pressure claim was denied for not being service connected. 0000002882 00000 n total disability individual unemployability benefits, presumptive condition for Vietnam-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange, presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange, VA Disability Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure, secondary service-connected disability rating, VA Disability Ratings for Kidney Diseases and Secondary Conditions, Circulatory System VA Disability Articles, Im sure I would not have received these awards if it wasnt for Woods and Woods, Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more, Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more, Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more, 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, Disease of the arteries in the heart, arms, or legs, Age (Many people develop high blood pressure as they age. Also, in my VA record at that time, was, because of an LOD for high blood pressure on 06/29/04, was a reading during my "age 40" physical, of 156/103 and the civilian doctor on 08/25/04, of 170/106. Contact Us In a VA Disability Claim, can your medications reduce the rating the VA Already working with us? On the other hand, there are some folks at the VA that act like THEY are having to pay your benefits out of their paycheck. Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is rated underCFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. Many different medications for PTSD can cause disruptive side effects. Please complete this form to send us your message. Thats because anxiety, or extreme stress and worry outside a persons control, increases a persons heart rate and can increase blood pressure. However, unless medication is mentioned in the Schedule of Ratings under the conditions diagnostic code, the VA may not consider the beneficial effect of a veterans medication in assigning a rating. ), Ethnicity (African American and Hispanic people are more likely to develop it. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs 0000003052 00000 n Thus, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established a list of presumptive conditions to support veterans suffering from those effects. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to aheart attackorstroke. Is High Blood Pressure a VA Presumptive Condition? To be eligible for High Blood Pressure VA Rating, a veteran must meet three (3) criteria by law: If you think you have High Blood Pressure, but dont have a medical diagnosis,pick-up the phone and call the VA health facility nearest youto make an appointment right away! Symptoms can range from short-term nausea and headaches to long-term impacts on internal organs. Therefore, it's directly related to your military service. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. You are not alone! Establishing service connection on a secondary basis requires evidence sufficient to show (1) Medical diagnosis of Hypertension and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (2) that the Hypertension was either (a) proximately caused by or (b) proximately aggravated by a service-connected disability. 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: 10 : Note (1): Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken . How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! The levels range from daily use of high-dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications to intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy. Getting Veterans (VA) Disability for Hypertension | CCK Law This extra fluid causes build up that can result in high blood pressure. Through the years, scientific evidence of Agent Oranges ill effects mounted. We are finding out by the day all of the negative effects this chemical had on veterans exposed during military service. Medication Side Effects & Secondary Service Connection I PTSD Lawyers 3H$LQP7zArO`H] j/:`l#u (4c[PIKAh4 B!L[t`Y\`4$P3aan'(lB %k pf` Independent providers and C&P examiners must consider and give weight to the veterans self-reported symptoms when completing their DBQ for Hypertension. According to the VA guidelines, you may receive a disability rating of 10% to 60% for hypertension: 10% rating -When your diastolic pressure is 100 to 109, or your systolic pressure is 160 to 199 20% rating -If your diastolic pressure is 110 to 119, or your systolic pressure is 200 or higher The #1 best way to increase your VA rating for high blood pressure is to have medical evidence showing the worsening of your symptoms over time. 0000006309 00000 n Hypertension and High Blood Pressure are the same thing. VA Ratings range from 0% all the way up to 100 . 0000006607 00000 n 0000002046 00000 n eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.104 -- Schedule of ratingscardiovascular system. Shinseki (2012), the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) held that veterans are entitled to disability ratings based on their unmedicated condition (i.e., the higher disability evaluation) if the effects of the medication are not explicitly mentioned in the rating schedule. Its possible for your Hypertension to be caused or made worse by another service connected disability for secondary service connection, and vice versa. startxref The general rating formula for heart disease also mentions medication in the lowest rating of 10%. If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. The CDC estimates that 47% of Americans have this disease and that more than 670,000 deaths in the United States had hypertension as a primary or contributing cause.. They did good by me. Note (2):Evaluate hypertension due to aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism, which is usually the isolated systolic type, as part of the condition causing it rather than by a separate evaluation. VA heart condition ratings are used to determine VA disability compensation for veterans with a service-connected heart condition. If you win your appeal, you should receive monthly compensation plus compensation back to when you filed your claim. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Tricare treatment records also show elevated blood pressure, with diastolic pressures predominantly in the 80s and 90s and systolic pressures below 160. 1481 0 obj <> endobj According to the Mayo Clinic, High Blood Pressure occurs when the long-term force of high blood pressure against your artery walls leads to a variety of health problems, such as heart disease or stroke. Your Hypertension was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service (Nexus for service connection) OR by another service-connected disability for secondary service connection, #3. #3. If a veteran suffers from hypertension, though, chances are that he is on 2 or 3 or 4 (or more) pills. 0000008503 00000 n Thats a valid concern that made it to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). 0000002293 00000 n NOTE: ALSO complete appropriate questionnaires for hypertension-related complications, if any (such as VA Form 21-0960J-1, Kidney Conditions (Nephrology) Disability Benefits Questionnaire , if renal insufficiency is attributable to hypertension.). 25. VA decision on hypertension and Agent Orange. Yes, a veteran can receive disability benefits for high blood pressure, even if theyre on medication. Today,Brian Reesethe VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 72 Best Federal Veteran Benefits from A to Z. How Do I Get VA Disability for High Blood Pressure? VA disability for medication side effects is common for veterans who take antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and antipsychotics. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! VA Disability for Hypothyroidism: Your Guide to Filing a Winning VA Claim Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. 0000003350 00000 n The ratings for hypertension are 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% depending on your high blood pressure severity. You may also have another serious health condition that requires medical attention. Providers refer to these downstream effects as sequelae. And because these changes often happen without obvious symptoms, hypertension has developed a reputation as a silent killer., Between 1962 to 1971, Agent Orange was developed by the Army Chemical Corps and used as a tactical herbicide to make war operations easier and reduce opportunities for enemies to hide behind foliage. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. As of December 1st, 2021, the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows: 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month. Non-Compensable Disability | Veterans Affairs Hypertension is no joke, and is often referred to as a silent killer because it is the most common risk factor among veterans with stroke. t\W%#QpBUUH#d ur5(0kZhy\C|>dJ HdUO wDKVF";6y,*l n@C. Back in the Day.back when we were in the military . It is explained as continuous medication required for control.. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 Unless the effects of medications are specifically included in the impairment rating criteria for your condition, the VA is NOTallowed to consider whether a particular medication moderates a Veterans condition in determining the degree of disability.
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