Diagnostic Code 7101 · 38 CFR §4.104
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a chronic cardiovascular condition where the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently elevated. The VA defines hypertension as diastolic blood pressure predominantly 90 mmHg or greater, or systolic blood pressure predominantly 160 mmHg or greater, or when an individual has a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or greater and requires continuous medication for control. Hypertension is a very common condition among veterans and is frequently claimed as secondary to PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes, or kidney conditions. It became a presumptive condition for Agent Orange exposure following the PACT Act.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Confirmed diagnosis of hypertension with diastolic pressure predominantly below 100 and systolic pressure predominantly below 160, managed with continuous medication. The veteran must have a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or greater to qualify for even a 0% service-connected rating under this code. |
| 10% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, OR systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, OR the veteran has a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and requires continuous medication for control. This is the minimum compensable rating and the most commonly assigned. |
| 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. |
You need: (1) a current diagnosis of hypertension, (2) evidence of a nexus to service (direct, secondary, or presumptive), and (3) blood pressure readings showing the severity. The VA looks at your pattern of blood pressure readings over time, not a single reading. Multiple elevated readings across different dates strengthen your claim. If you take medication that controls your blood pressure, the VA considers your pre-medication readings and the fact that you require continuous medication. Service treatment records showing elevated readings during service are valuable. If claiming as secondary, a nexus letter linking hypertension to your primary condition (PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes, Agent Orange exposure) is recommended.
The VA considers both your medication-controlled readings and your history. If you require continuous medication for control and have a documented history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, you meet the criteria for at least a 10% rating even if your current medicated readings are lower.
Yes. Hypertension was added to the list of conditions presumptively associated with herbicide agent (Agent Orange) exposure. If you served in Vietnam, Thailand, or other qualifying locations during the applicable time period and have a diagnosis of hypertension, you may qualify for presumptive service connection.
Yes. Medical research has established that chronic stress and the physiological effects of PTSD can contribute to the development of hypertension. A nexus letter from a medical provider explaining this connection strengthens the claim.
You need diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, OR systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, OR a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more with continuous medication required for control. The word "predominantly" means most of your readings — not every single one.