For VA rating purposes, the term hypertension or High Blood Pressure, means that the diastolic blood pressure is predominantly 90mm or greater, and isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood pressure is predominantly 160mm or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm. Diagnostic codes are specifically for disabilities that can be service connected, which means caused or aggravated by military . People with hypertension may worry about their physical health, causing anxiety. 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. not. The application process for the V.A. If you receive a 0% disability rating for a service-connected condition, we call this a non-compensable disability. This is not only untrue (they look throughout years of BP readings in your medical records, not just the day of), but it can be dangerous. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 0000085761 00000 n
To understand why this is the case, read on. 0000007742 00000 n
These ratings also reference the general rating formula for diseases of the eye. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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. Nathan is a Nurse Practitioner, Disability Examiner, and Freelance Writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. The VA uses diagnostic codes to classify the type and severity of a disability. In this guide, well explore how to get a VA Rating for High Blood Pressure even if youve already filed a VA claim or been denied benefits. 0000018593 00000 n
In a VA Disability Claim, can your medications reduce the rating the VA Does the veterans treatment plan include taking continuous medication for Hypertension or Isolated Systolic Hypertension? Veterans may see a loss or decrease in VA benefits if the condition (without taking into consideration the beneficial effects of medication) improves. In 2019 and 2020 I received numerous award letters in my favor and two were backdated to 2011. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider.
VA Disability for Hypertension in South Carolina - Joye Law Firm 0000007713 00000 n
This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Note (1):Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. ), Ethnicity (African American and Hispanic people are more likely to develop it. Can the VA consider whether your medications are providing some relief when determining your degree of disability?
New Hypertension Treatment Guidelines Veterans Need To Know The Diagnostic Criteria in the VA Rating Schedule for Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not specifically list the effects of medication. 40 percent rating: when your diastolic pressure is 120 to 129. What is the Reasonable Doubt Rule for High Blood Pressure? In that case, its essential to understand the VA ratings, so you can receive fair compensation. For veterans who served in Vietnam and suffered Agent Orange exposure, the Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledges that you no longer need to prove that Agent Orange caused your high blood pressure. If you need a lawyer, fill out a contact form at the law firm of Attig Steel: https://www.attigsteel.com/contact-us/. 0000009189 00000 n
Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. This means theres a 50/50 chance. 49, 53 (1990). 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%. Gout is common in veterans. Fill out the short form below to contact us. What is the VA disability rating for hypothyroidism? What conditions are secondary to hypertension? High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) is rated underCFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is common among veterans due to combat exposure and service-related injuries. 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. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Veterans Court reminds the VA: the BVA must adjudicate the logically related informal claim. VA Disability Law; New VA Appeals Process; A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules; . Heres a recent BVA case decision where a veteran got service connected for Hypertension secondary to Sleep Apnea.
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Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. 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? While we still have our home base in Florida, Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. If thats you, it might help to have your doctor fill out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire diagnosing you with hypertension and documenting what you are currently doing to control it. 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. 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. You may be owed compensation. 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 the veteran does have a diagnosis of High Blood Pressure that conforms to VA rating standards, indicate the type, ICD Code, and date of diagnosis. #6. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232
38 CFR 4.104 - Schedule of ratings - cardiovascular system. 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. There are 3 primary ways a veteran can get a VA disability rating for High Blood Pressure: When VA Rating Officials are determining the appropriate disability evaluation to assign for High Blood Pressure, the primary consideration is a veterans current SYMPTOMS; however, VA Raters must also make findings as to HOW those symptoms contribute to functional impairment or loss. Yes, a veteran can receive disability for high blood pressure, either as a primary disability or with a secondary connection to another medical issue thats service related. Already working with us? 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. Undiagnosed, the symptoms of IBS might be a component of Gulf War Illness. Note (3):Evaluate hypertension separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease. VA Raters May Try toReduce Your RatingDue tothe Medicines You Take. 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. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim The problem is, a lot of Veterans believe them, because it sounds pretty reasonable. *H?x3^|H10F1M/ ;
Have been involved in Agent Orange disposal.
Non-Compensable Disability | Veterans Affairs Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. Many medications, and treatments for health conditions, come with the risk of side effects. 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). A blood pressure reading is given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and it has two numbers. 0000001162 00000 n
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. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. For high blood pressure (hypertension) specifically, the VA will assess your ability to perform physical and mental activities, as well as your overall quality of life. 2. of . For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Medication can be a factor if mentioned in the Schedule of Ratings, Hyperparathyroidism rating with medication, Side effects of medication and VA benefits, reevaluate disabilities every 2 to 5 years, some cases in which the VA is not likely to reevaluate veterans health conditions or reduce or remove their benefits, general rating formula for mental disorders, the general rating formula for diseases of the eye, you may be eligible for VA benefits for these conditions. The VA's ratings for hypertension are covered in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38, 4.104, diagnostic code 7101. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to aheart attackorstroke. You are not alone! When a person has kidney disease, the kidneys stop removing waste and extra fluid from the blood. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of hypertension. This is likely not recorded in your medical records in this highly specific way, so the best thing to do is to take your blood pressure at home and keep a log so you can provide it during your exam.
Hypertension Claim Question - Veterans Benefits Network 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. See our article on all of the currently recognized presumptive conditions to see if you may be suffering from another disease caused by Agent Orange. VA uses 38 CFR 4.119, Diagnostic Code 7913 for diabetes mellitus type 2. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Please, if you have any of these symptoms, go see a doctor right away! You may be owed compensation. Suppose you have high blood pressure related to your military service or in connection with another service-related condition. How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating for High Blood Pressure? 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. The CDC, another federal agency, accepts this definition. 25. 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. 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. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. endstream
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Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Generally, blood pressure is determined in two ways: The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. Recommendation 1: "ACP and AAFP recommend that clinicians initiate treatment in adults aged 60 years or older with systolic blood pressure persistently at or above 150 mm Hg to achieve a target . It appeared to him that he met the criteria for a 30% rating, but the VA denied his request for an increase from 10%.
For many of these conditions, the need for medication helps to demonstrate the severity of the disability. Also, veterans over the age of 55 are rarely sent for reexaminations. The severe form of IBS is rated at 30% and the moderate form of IBS is rated by the VA at 10%. Contact Us Two numbers measure blood pressure. 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. 20 percent rating: when your diastolic pressure is 110 to 119, or your systolic pressure (the top number) is 200 or higher. In this post, well reveal and explain how to download copies of your VA benefit letters online. #8. The VA rates fibromyalgia under diagnostic code 5025. 0000007556 00000 n
You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to aheart attackorstroke. 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. 0000006151 00000 n
The connection between the two can work the opposite way as well. A veteran can receive a secondary service-connected disability rating for any health condition that is related to a condition thats service connected. The acid crystalizes and builds up in the persons joints. It could be helpful to have a VA-certified disability benefits lawyer take a second look. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe trauma disorder common among veterans. When in doubt, the benefit is ALWAYS given to the veteran. Anxiety. Veterans with PTSD are prone to hypertension because of PTSDs fear-related symptoms like hypervigilance, anxiety, and avoidance. The readings must be 160/90 or higher for hypertension. 10 percent rating: when your diastolic pressure is 100 to 109, or your systolic pressure is 160 to 199. The VA rates hypertensive vascular disease under diagnostic code 7101. I do not response to Individual claim and legal questions, although I do catalog them for post / video ideas. The VA has a responsibility to Help you Get the Highest SupportableRating inYour VA Disability Claim. Call Joye Law Firm now at 877-941-1019 or use our online form to schedule a free review of your VA disability claim. 203, San Jose, CA 95134
High blood pressure can occur for years without any . j@ V#,:70e150D1+0{00017(:0,X:. 0}l ~`4% Disabilities labeled as static, stable, or permanent are usually not scheduled for reexamination, nor are disabilities rated at the minimum. It is explained as "continuous medication required for control." Hypertension rating with medication. The ratings for hypertension are 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% depending on your high blood pressure severity. Persistent and recurring symptoms of High Blood Pressure (Severity of Symptoms) to include how the disability negatively impacts your work, life, and social functioning, Hypertension secondary to Weight Gain Obesity as Interim Link, Hypertension secondary to Hyperthyroidism. A 60% hypertension rating could qualify a veteran for total disability individual unemployability benefits. 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). Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. In the Jones v. Shinseki case, Jones suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 3 Most Common Claims Left on the Side: Secondary Service Connection for Side Effects of Medications Posted by Berry Law on March 14, 2016 in Veterans Disability Many veterans are taking medications to treat their service connected PTSD or manage the pain for their back, ankle, and knee conditions.VA doctors will prescribe medications and discuss with veterans their side effects but most .