What rates 20% for Hypertension under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101 (DC 7101), a 20% rating for Hypertension requires: Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

What rates 40% for Hypertension under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101 (DC 7101), a 40% rating for Hypertension requires: Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more.

What rates 60% for Hypertension under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101 (DC 7101), a 60% rating for Hypertension requires: Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more.

What secondary conditions are linked to Hypertension?

Common secondary conditions for Hypertension include Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, Heart Failure, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Atrial Fibrillation. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Hypertension?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Hypertension

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Hypertension?

Hypertension (DC 7101) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101. 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.

Q: What rates 10% for Hypertension under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101 (DC 7101), a 10% rating for Hypertension requires: 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.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Hypertension VA claim?

Key evidence for a Hypertension claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 710138 C.F.R. § 4.104

Diagnostic Code

DC 7101

38 C.F.R. § 4.104

Rating Range

10–60%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.104

Hypertension is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7101 of 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7101 across 4 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 40% / 60%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Coronary Artery Disease or Stroke under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Chronically elevated blood pressure requiring continuous medication or with documented elevated readings

Rating Criteria

10%

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.

20%

Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.

40%

Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more.

60%

Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more.

Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Secondary Conditions

Coronary Artery DiseaseMODERATE

High blood pressure damages arterial walls accelerating atherosclerosis

StrokeMODERATE

Increased risk of blood vessel rupture or blockage in brain

Heart FailureMODERATE

Heart works harder against high resistance, eventually weakening

Left Ventricular HypertrophyMODERATE

Heart muscle thickens from working against high pressure

Atrial FibrillationMODERATE

Chronic pressure changes affect heart electrical system

Aortic AneurysmMODERATE

High pressure weakens aortic wall

Peripheral Artery DiseaseMODERATE

Contributes to atherosclerosis in peripheral arteries

Chronic Kidney DiseaseMODERATE

High blood pressure damages kidney blood vessels

Hypertensive RetinopathyMODERATE

High blood pressure damages retinal blood vessels

Erectile DysfunctionMODERATE

Blood vessel damage and medications affect sexual function

Vascular DementiaMODERATE

Chronic cerebral vascular damage affects cognition

HeadachesMODERATE

Elevated blood pressure can cause headaches

RetinopathyMODERATE

High pressure damages retinal blood vessels

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.104 (Cardiovascular system). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.104 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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