EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Hypertension VA Disability Rating
DC 7101 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.104 | M21-1, Part IV.ii.5
OVERVIEW
Hypertension is rated under DC 7101 based on diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings. The VA defines hypertension as diastolic pressure predominantly 90mm or greater, or systolic pressure predominantly 160mm or greater. A minimum 10% rating requires continuous medication for control. Hypertension is commonly claimed secondary to PTSD (chronic stress response), sleep apnea (nocturnal hypoxia), obesity, and kidney conditions. It is also an Agent Orange presumptive condition for Vietnam-era veterans.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
60% — Diastolic predominantly 130 or more
Severely elevated diastolic blood pressure at 130mmHg or higher.
40% — Diastolic predominantly 120 or more
Diastolic blood pressure predominantly 120mmHg or higher.
20% — Diastolic predominantly 110 or more, or systolic predominantly 200 or more
Diastolic 110+ or systolic 200+.
10% — Diastolic predominantly 100 or more, or systolic predominantly 160 or more, or requires continuous medication
History of diastolic 100+ or systolic 160+, or requires continuous medication for control. The medication requirement alone supports 10%.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Blood pressure readings over time showing elevated levels (multiple readings, not just one)
-Prescription history for antihypertensive medications
-Service treatment records showing onset of hypertension during or shortly after service
-Documentation of service-connected condition causing hypertension (PTSD, sleep apnea, kidney disease)
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (3 MAPPED)
DC 7000-7123
Chronic hypertension damages the cardiovascular system over time.
DC 7500-7542
Hypertension causes renal damage and is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.
DC 6006-6090
Hypertensive retinopathy can cause vision changes.
C&P EXAM TIPS (4)
1.If you take blood pressure medication, you qualify for at least 10% — the medication requirement alone meets the criteria.
2.Bring a log of home blood pressure readings to the exam.
3.If claiming secondary to PTSD, document the chronic stress-blood pressure connection with medical literature.
4.If claiming secondary to sleep apnea, document nocturnal hypoxia as the mechanism.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Hypertension at 10% adds $175/mo. While modest alone, it is one of the easiest secondary conditions to establish from PTSD or sleep apnea, and it adds to the combined rating via VA math.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026