All Rights Reserved. Hypertension VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation Page . 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. 0000011577 00000 n Generally, blood pressure is determined in two ways: The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. I'm sure I would not have received these awards if it wasn't for Woods and Woods. That being said, if service connection is granted and your BP remains under control with meds your rating will be 0%. Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. 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. VA disability claims for diabetes mellitus can vary from extremely severe to much more minor cases depending on the advancement of the medical condition. If an executive department wants to add language about medication to other diagnostic codes, it may. 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. When in doubt, the benefit is ALWAYS given to the veteran. Talk to Us About Your Claim:(866) 232-5777. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. The VA rates fibromyalgia under diagnostic code 5025. Today,Brian Reesethe VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 72 Best Federal Veteran Benefits from A to Z. 2trill4925. In the appeal decision, the CAVC explained that within the Schedule of Ratings, the criteria for rating some disabilities includes a mention of medication. 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. Also, complete any appropriate questionnaires for hypertension-related complications, if any, such as Kidney, if renal insufficiency is attributable to hypertension. Within that framework, then, there are ACC/AHA Guidelines specific to HTN. On one hand, it has a legitimate function of verifying that your VA Disability Claim meets the requirements set forth by law before granting a service-connected disability rating. 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. What is the VA disability rating for hypothyroidism? xref 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. hb```b``cd`c`bd@ AV(^ro4T' euCSWX c6#NA@O$O The hypertension ratings appear to require (understandably) high blood pressure readings. 0000007742 00000 n #8. If you dont have your own blood pressure machine, you can get a reading taken at any local pharmacy. People with hypertension may worry about their physical health, causing anxiety. Your doctor (even one from the VA) accepts this definition (and treats accordingly). 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. CURRENT BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS (SUFFICIENT IF VETERAN HAS A PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED DIAGNOSIS OF . Diagnostic codes are specifically for disabilities that can be service connected, which means caused or aggravated by military . 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. Medical evidence must link the primary and secondary service-connected impairments, or the secondary impairment must link to another service-connected health concern. I have high blood pressure that has been measured at 220/110 in a Dr's office. Hypertension is blood pressure above 140/90. If you experience high blood pressure that you think connects to your military service, either on its own or secondarily, you deserve VA disability compensation. A 60% hypertension rating could qualify a veteran for total disability individual unemployability benefits. The codes state that if continuous medication is required, the VA will give the minimum rating of 10%. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. 0000085926 00000 n If yes, provide the blood pressure readings used to establish initial diagnosis. 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. Hypertension is common in people with gout, a severe form of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the body. For a 10% rating, the schedule states a veteran must experience occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. The criteria for higher ratings for mental disorders do not mention medication. Unfortunately, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common diagnosis among veterans. There are some cases in which the VA is not likely to reevaluate veterans health conditions or reduce or remove their benefits. 0000001837 00000 n The VA rates asthma between 10% and 100%, and every criteria level mentions medication use. PTSD results from experiencing traumatic events and an inability to emotionally process those happenings. We are finding out by the day all of the negative effects this chemical had on veterans exposed during military service. It's that simple. In this post, we will be taking a deep dive into the legal and medical requirements for how to get aVA Rating for Hypertension. 0000084988 00000 n It measures the pressure when the heart fills with blood. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Anxiety. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! The examining physician will schedule readings be taken two or more times on at least three different days. Undiagnosed, the symptoms of IBS might be a component of Gulf War Illness. Yes, a veteran can receive disability benefits for high blood pressure, even if theyre on medication. App. What conditions are secondary to hypertension? 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 . 38 USCA 5107; 38 CFR 3.102; see also Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 In that case, its essential to understand the VA ratings, so you can receive fair compensation. You may be owed compensation. Your high blood pressure is severe if its more than 180/120. endstream endobj 1521 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[91 1390]/Length 55/Size 1481/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control; In order for the VA to evaluate this condition for determination of a schedular disability rating, the veteran's hypertension must be confirmed by . 0000010049 00000 n Sleep Apnea rarely goes away, and its hard toreverse diabetes once your kidneys start to fail. 0000007713 00000 n As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. 1,833 58. Headaches. It appeared to him that he met the criteria for a 30% rating, but the VA denied his request for an increase from 10%. The readings must be 160/90 or higher for hypertension. In the criteria, a 10% rating is set for symptoms that require continuous medication for control. The requirements for higher ratings do not mention medication. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 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 two . Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. 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. The tests for hypertension require readings to be taken two or more times on at least three different days. 0000085761 00000 n According to VA medical research, hypertension is one of the most common chronic condition in veterans, affecting more than 37% of the veteran population. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Find out what benefits you qualify for with a 0% disability rating and if you can file for an increased disability rating. It will require them to provide medication documentation of their original blood pressure readings that caused the physician to prescribe the blood pressure medication. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Alright, lets jump into this Insiders Guide for getting service connected disability for High Blood Pressure. Generally, the more severe your disability, the higher the VA rating youll receive. You only pay us if we win. And that number is going to dictate whether VA determines or sees your blood . #2. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. 439, 448 (1995). 10 percent rating: when your diastolic pressure is 100 to 109, or your systolic pressure is 160 to 199. 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. When, after careful consideration of all evidence, a reasonable doubt arises regarding service origin, the degree of disability, or any other point, such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant. If you need continuous medication to control your symptoms of heart disease, you will receive a rating of at least 10%. I talk to Woods and Woods about my issues in 2018 they took my case as a result. 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! we had a real interest in fulfilling the training or supply requirements of our units and our higher-ups had a requirement to providethose resources. There is no specified time interval between readings, and they may be completed sequentially. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 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. Kidney disease also is common among veterans. 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. The levels range from daily use of high-dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications to intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy. You may be owed compensation. According to medical research, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a recognized cause of hypertension (high blood pressure). 3H$LQP7zArO`H] j/:`l#u (4c[PIKAh4 B!L[t`Y\`4$P3aan'(lB %k pf` The VA rates angle-closure glaucoma under diagnostic code 6012 and open-angle glaucoma under diagnostic code 6013. Will I lose VA benefits if medicine improves my condition? If you receive a 0% disability rating for a service-connected condition, we call this a non-compensable disability. 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. 0000004237 00000 n Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). When have you seen the VA use improvement due to medication as an excuse to give a lower rating? But, until then, the VA cannot deny higher ratings based on relief from medications if the code doesnt mention medication. Veterans may see a loss or decrease in VA benefits if the condition (without taking into consideration the beneficial effects of medication) improves. Gout is common in veterans. Veterans Court reminds the VA: the BVA must adjudicate the logically related informal claim. #6. a disability for VA purposes. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) is rated underCFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. 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. not. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading is given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and it has two numbers. The VA uses diagnostic codes to classify the type and severity of a disability. 0000018752 00000 n Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 #3. The veterans rating is based on blood pressure readings at that time, as it is presumed that the medication, if effective, is lowering the veterans blood pressure readings. There is no need to take lying or standing blood pressures. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE!