So, 90 over 160 might be a term that you here at the doctor's office or something like it based on what your blood pressure readings are. yet assertive representation for our clients. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! 0000002293 00000 n They did good by me. VA Disability Ratings for High Blood Pressure - Woods and Woods, LLC An attorney can also help you appeal a previous VA rating decision regarding hypertension or associated secondary disabilities, if necessary. 2E. Its prevalence is particularly felt in the veteran community, where rates of high blood pressure for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange during military service are found to be higher than in the general population. 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. VA Raters May Try toReduce Your RatingDue tothe Medicines You Take. Therefore, when the veteran is already on medication to control hypertension, the VA reviews the medical records that resulted in the medication being prescribed. Need a Medical Nexus Letter for Hypertension secondary to Sleep Apnea? 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 . Lets take a look at a Sample VA Disability Claim: Your email address will not be published. Many different medications for PTSD can cause disruptive side effects. startxref xref As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 The VA Rater will select the disability percentage evaluation based on a preponderance of the symptoms.. 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. 0000003110 00000 n Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. And that number is going to dictate whether VA determines or sees your blood . On the other hand, if your disability is severe and it affects you often, the VA will compensate you for that conditiontypically at the higher disability percentage. Typically, this means medical evidence of high blood pressure readings above normal over an extended period. 6 Things Every Veteran Needs to Know About VA Disability for Medication *H?x3^|H10F1M/ ; Woods and Woods has helped thousands of veterans across the country receive the VA benefits they deserve. Wondering how to service connect your Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)? ), Gender (Males are more prone to hypertension. Undiagnosed, the symptoms of IBS might be a component of Gulf War Illness. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2016 - VeteransLawBlog.org - All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Legal Disclaimer, The Veterans Law Blog is NOT a law firm. How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating for High Blood Pressure? According to CFR 38 Part 4 the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, veterans may receive a VA disability rating for hypertension between 10% and 60%, with breaks at 20% and 40%, depending upon the severity of symptoms: By law, service connection may be established on a secondary basis for a disability which is proximately due to or the result of service-connected disease or injury. While we still have our home base in Florida, Therefore, it's directly related to your military service. Sleep apnea increases your risk of hypertension, with about half of people with apnea having high blood pressure. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. The VA will likely request a Compensation and Pension exam. The VA rates asthma between 10% and 100%, and every criteria level mentions medication use. #7. 50% of all patients with sleep apnea may have underlying hypertension, You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, 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. A blood pressure reading is given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and it has two numbers. If you need an advocate to review your previous ratings to determine if it was under evaluated, call us at 251-343-1111 or 1-800-332-1529. Cruiser. The VA rates hypertensive vascular disease under diagnostic code 7101. The issue was settled by a 2012 decision of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and in general, the answer is no. All Rights Reserved. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Talk to Us About Your Claim:(866) 232-5777. However, Ischemic Heart Disease is on the Agent Orange presumptive list (also called Coronary Heart Disease), and is rated under Diagnostic Code (DC)7005. Hypertension Claim Question - Veterans Benefits Network List of VA Secondary Conditions to Hypertension. The veteran should be seated comfortably with back and feet supported. #6. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. App. Technically, you need more than half of your readings to meet the 10% criteria. 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. These two numbers will affect your final VA disability rating for hypertension: High blood pressure (hypertension) symptoms vary from veteran to veteran. Some veterans Ive spoken with recall being told that Agent Orange was safe enough to drink. Not only is this wrong, but it couldnt be further from the truth. If your blood pressure is high, there are symptoms you need to watch out for, including: Are you STUCK, FRUSTRATED and UNDERRATED? Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 #1. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. If left untreated, hypertension can damage blood vessels and overwork the heart. Scientific evidence lending credence to this connection has been touted by veterans and veterans groups for years and now the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs has finally acknowledged Agent Oranges contribution to this chronic disability. 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. VA Rating for Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Explained - The The schedule states a veteran with a formal diagnosis and symptoms that are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication will receive a 0% rating. Generally, the more severe your disability, the higher the VA rating youll receive. Hypertension is blood pressure above 140/90. As of December 1st, 2021, the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows: 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month. The VA uses diagnostic codes to classify the type and severity of a disability. VA Disability Law; New VA Appeals Process; A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules; . The ratings for hypertension are 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% depending on your high blood pressure severity. Asthma, which often requires medication, is rated under diagnostic code 6602. 1,833 58. There is a group of raters who believe that PTSD is cured when you get treatment, that you arent disabled if you are taking insulin for diabetes, or that sleep apnea is gone once you start using a CPAP. Its possible for your Hypertension to be caused or made worse by another service connected disability for secondary service connection, and vice versa. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. #8. VA Disability for Hypothyroidism: Your Guide to Filing a Winning VA Claim t\W%#QpBUUH#d ur5(0kZhy\C|>dJ HdUO wDKVF";6y,*l n@C. If youve been denied when attempting to add hypertension as a service-connected condition for VA benefits in the past, now is a great time to consider re-filing with the changes introduced by the 2022 PACT Act legislation. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This can lead to several life-threatening medical problems, such as heart failure, kidney failure, and dementia. Alright, lets jump into this Insiders Guide for getting service connected disability for High Blood Pressure. The ratings for hypertension are 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% depending on your high blood pressure severity. Hypertension, Agent Orange, and the PACT Act - Hill & Ponton, P.A. However, for veterans looking to add high blood pressure to their list of service-connected disability benefits, showing sufficient evidence of a hypertension diagnosis may not be as straightforward as it seems. Hyperparathyroidism is rated under diagnostic code 7904. It currently handles claims of exposure in these locations on a case-by-case basis: Various conditions are secondary to hypertension. Call Joye Law Firm now at 877-941-1019 or use our online form to schedule a free review of your VA disability claim. 0000006151 00000 n Is High Blood Pressure a VA Presumptive Condition? 0000002717 00000 n Hypertension VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation Page . A 60% hypertension rating could qualify a veteran for total disability individual unemployability benefits. According to VA medical research, High Blood Pressure is one of the most common chronic conditions in veterans, which affects more than 37% of the veteran population. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. I do not response to Individual claim and legal questions, although I do catalog them for post / video ideas. As a Nurse Practitioner and VA C&P Examiner, Ive served many veterans exposed to Agent Orange who are seeking disability compensation for hypertension. The severe form of IBS is rated at 30% and the moderate form of IBS is rated by the VA at 10%. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 Hypertension or "High Blood Pressure" is rated under CFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. Symptoms can range from short-term nausea and headaches to long-term impacts on internal organs. In this post, well reveal and explain how to download copies of your VA benefit letters online. I'm sure I would not have received these awards if it wasn't for Woods and Woods. This connection means that veterans who meet the criteria for being in a place where Agent Orange exposure was likely dont need to show any additional evidencecalled a medical nexusto establish a service connection to hypertension. 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? I am sick, and the VA was stalling. VA Disability for Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) | PTSD Lawyers So, lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA rating for hypertension. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Sleep Apnea rarely goes away, and its hard toreverse diabetes once your kidneys start to fail. How Does the VA Rate High Blood Pressure? 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. Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. Lower ratings for the condition also could combine with ratings for secondary conditions or other service-connected disabilities to qualify for the benefit as long as the combined rating is at least 70% and one of the conditions is rated at least 40%. If you dont have your own blood pressure machine, you can get a reading taken at any local pharmacy. For these Vietnam War-era veterans, qualifying for Agent Orange exposure may mean you: As long as there is sufficient evidence that you qualify for a hypertension diagnosis, they presume that it was Agent Orange that caused it. It measures the pressure as blood leaves the heart. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 20 percent disability rating: $327.99 per month. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 The fact that some diagnostic codes do include standards regarding the effects of medication, but others dont, is on purpose. The following are a list of common questions asked at a C&P exam for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), based on theDBQ for Hypertension. 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. If youre trying to increase your VA rating for High Blood Pressure, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant the higher rating criteria by law. Call today or fill out our online contact form to get started. The diastolic is the bottom number. We are Veterans helping Veterans!Become an Elite Member and work with our Veteran Coaches to get the rating you deserve! These medications can cause side effects, including: Insomnia. VA disability for medication side effects is common for veterans who take antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and antipsychotics. Will I lose VA benefits if medicine improves my condition? CFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. ), Ethnicity (African American and Hispanic people are more likely to develop it. When have you seen the VA use improvement due to medication as an excuse to give a lower rating? Can I get VA Disability for my Hypertension? - Veterans Benefits If the VA examination (or evidence used in lieu of a VA examination) contains only a diagnosis of pre-hypertension based on readings that do not meet the definition of hypertension or isolated systolic . 1481 0 obj <> endobj per day to control his blood pressure. If an executive department wants to add language about medication to other diagnostic codes, it may. 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. Contact Us What the PACT Act Means for Veterans Suffering From Agent Orange Hypertension, Clinical Corner: A Disability Examiners Perspective on Agent Orange Hypertension. The general rating formula for heart disease also mentions medication in the lowest rating of 10%. 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! or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 This post explains VA ratings for hypertension and related conditions like hypertensive vascular disease. Unless the effects of medications are specifically included in the impairment rating criteria for your condition, the VA is NOT allowed to consider whether a particular medication moderates a Veteran's condition in determining the degree of disability. Your High Blood Pressure was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service, #3. 0000000016 00000 n VA Disability for Hypertension in South Carolina - Joye Law Firm #2. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! The CDC, another federal agency, accepts this definition. Apr 20, 2017 #6. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! In fact, it may have the opposite effect if your exam has to be canceled for you to be sent to the hospital for a hypertensive emergency! CURRENT BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS (SUFFICIENT IF VETERAN HAS A PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED DIAGNOSIS OF . Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. These two numbers will affect your final VA disability rating for High Blood Pressure: High Blood Pressure or Hypertension symptoms vary from veteran to veteran. The maximum scheduler rating for High Blood Pressure is 60 percent, which means your diastolic pressure is predominantly 130 or higher. VA Disability for Hypertension. 0000018752 00000 n That being said, if service connection is granted and your BP remains under control with meds your rating will be 0%. The VA rates fibromyalgia under diagnostic code 5025. You're not alone. This means theres a 50/50 chance. Hypertension and High Blood Pressure are the same thing. 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. The examining physician will schedule readings be taken two or more times on at least three different days. Talk to Us About Your Claim:(866) 232-5777. Between the years of 1962-1971, American troops dumped more than 19 million gallons of herbicide on vegetation in lands around Vietnam, Laos, and nearby areas, in order to remove forest, VA Disability Compensation: Veterans of the Vietnam Era and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma UPDATE: As of January 2020,Blue Water claimsare being processed. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 As a result, his readings will be "normal" due to all the meds. Hypertension is a leading cause of stroke. 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. Veterans with hypertension can be assigned ratings ranging from 0 percent to 60 percent. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Kidney disease also is common among veterans. How to Hire an Attorney For Your VA Claim or Appeal. If yes, describe the impact of the veterans hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension, providing one or more examples. In addition, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recently released new guidelines that describe Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a relatively fixed cardiovascular disease risk factor in patients with hypertension. 2. Contact Us Today. 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. Veterans with fibromyalgia experience pain all over their bodies. Thus, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established a list of presumptive conditions to support veterans suffering from those effects. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. VA decision on hypertension and Agent Orange. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 If yes, describe the frequency and severity of diastolic blood pressure elevation. 38 CFR 4.104 - Schedule of ratings - cardiovascular system. If you win your appeal, you should receive monthly compensation plus compensation back to when you filed your claim. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. VA heart condition ratings are used to determine VA disability compensation for veterans with a service-connected heart condition. disability claim takes an average of 95 days to decide the validity of the submitted request. A veteran will continue to qualify for VA benefits regardless of any alleviating affects of medication on their condition as long as the diagnostic code for the condition does not specifically mention medication and the veteran otherwise meets the criteria to receive benefits for the disability. Apneic episodes (when you stop breathing) from Sleep Apnea produce surges in systolic and diastolic pressure that keep mean blood pressure levels elevated at night. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. j@ V#,:70e150D1+0{00017(:0,X:. 0}l ~`4% When a person has kidney disease, the kidneys stop removing waste and extra fluid from the blood. The #1 best way to increase your VA rating for High Blood Pressure is to have objective medical evidence to show your symptoms have worsened over time. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. #1. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to aheart attackorstroke. Thats a valid concern that made it to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). As of December 2018, veterans claiming benefits for hypertension may receive a disability rating of 10% with monthly compensation of $140.05, while a disability rating of 20% may receive 276.84 per month. The VA, after many years, acknowledged that veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange may have certain related cancers or other illnesses.. 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? This means an in-service injury, disease, or event caused your High Blood Pressure. 0000006309 00000 n Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. The VA rates hypertensive vascular disease under diagnostic code 7101. Yes, a veteran can receive disability benefits for high blood pressure, even if theyre on medication. Remember the VA disability compensation system provides veterans with tax-free monetary relief for theaverage impairment of earnings capacity. TDIU benefits are for veterans who can no longer work because of their service-connected disabilities. In general, the more severe your symptoms, the higher the VA rating youll receive. The acid crystalizes and builds up in the persons joints. Nathan Costiuc, RN, APRN, FNP-BC Updated: November 4, 2022. 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. Eventually, the hose, its connectors, and the pump supplying the pressure will all experience damage. It measures the pressure when the heart fills with blood. To service connect Hypertension secondary to Sleep Apnea, youll need to get a Medical Nexus Letter to support the connection between Hypertension and Sleep Apnea. Veterans taking medication for their service-connected disability may be concerned they will lose their VA benefits if medicine improves their condition. The VA rates angle-closure glaucoma under diagnostic code 6012 and open-angle glaucoma under diagnostic code 6013. You may also have another serious health condition that requires medical attention. According to medical research, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a recognized cause of hypertension (high blood pressure). 1481 42 His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. 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. 0000006280 00000 n For the VA to consider disability benefits for hypertension, you must file a claim. 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. The application process for the V.A. 0000004565 00000 n If youre trying to increase your VA rating for hypertension, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant a higher rating by law. You may be owed compensation. It lists Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a CAUSE of secondary hypertension, with resistant hypertension being one of the clinical indications. 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%. VA rating for hypertension secondary to PTSD, VA rating for hypertension secondary to anxiety, VA rating for hypertension secondary to sleep apnea, VA compensation for gout secondary to hypertension, VA disability for chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension, VA rating for hypertension while on medication. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. If the diagnostic code for your condition does not mention medication, andwith or without ityou meet the criteria outlined in the Schedule of Ratings for benefits for your service-connected disability, you will qualify for those benefits.

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