When have you seen the VA use improvement due to medication as an excuse to give a lower rating? Veterans who are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange are those who served in: The VA also acknowledges that Agent Orange was stored in other places. It lists Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a CAUSE of secondary hypertension, with resistant hypertension being one of the clinical indications. Highlights include the following[4]: Accurate BP measurement is critical. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. ), Ethnicity (African American and Hispanic people are more likely to develop it. VA Disability For Hypertension // Appeals, Claims, Denials - Vet Be glad you hypertension is under control. If you need continuous medication to control your symptoms of heart disease, you will receive a rating of at least 10%. See 38 CFR 3.310(a). 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. Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is rated underCFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. The CDC, another federal agency, accepts this definition. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common and critical condition. But if left untreated, it can cause serious health problems. A private physician can complete the form for you. hA 04q\GcwzC. These are a few things to keep in mind to help strengthen your case and prepare for your C&P Exam if you want to add hypertension to your disability claims: The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association both define the earliest stage of hypertension as a systolic blood pressure (SBP, or the top number in a BP reading) greater than 130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP, or the bottom number) as greater than 80 mm HG. Your High Blood Pressure was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service, #3. Your Hypertension was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service (Nexus for service connection) OR by another service-connected disability for secondary service connection, #3. VA Disability Rating for Hypertension - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Asthma, which often requires medication, is rated under diagnostic code 6602. 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. 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 . How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 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. 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 . Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! However, some veterans may be concerned that if the medication works well, they may no longer qualify for benefits or a certain disability rating. You may also have another serious health condition that requires medical attention. Over time, this could theoretically contribute to the onset of clinically-significant hypertension. 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. If youre already on medication for hypertension, youll likely need to include those medical records (including blood pressure readings) in your claim. Will I lose VA benefits if medicine improves my condition? People with anxiety are at higher risk for hypertension. VA Disability for High Blood Pressure ranges from 10% to 60%, with breaks at 20% and 40%, depending on the severity of your symptoms. In this post, well reveal and explain how to download copies of your VA benefit letters online. However, the law is not always written this way and sometimes, for good reason. Providers refer to these downstream effects as sequelae. And because these changes often happen without obvious symptoms, hypertension has developed a reputation as a silent killer., Between 1962 to 1971, Agent Orange was developed by the Army Chemical Corps and used as a tactical herbicide to make war operations easier and reduce opportunities for enemies to hide behind foliage. Tricare treatment records also show elevated blood pressure, with diastolic pressures predominantly in the 80s and 90s and systolic pressures below 160. #4. TDIU benefits are for veterans who can no longer work because of their service-connected disabilities. 0000084988 00000 n If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Considerable medical evidence has shown that reducing your blood pressure can contribute to a significant reduction in risk for stroke among veterans. 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. 0000012136 00000 n This post explains VA ratings for hypertension and related conditions like hypertensive vascular disease. Sometimes veterans think that not taking their morning medications might result in a higher blood pressure during the exam and, thus, a better VA rating. The readings must be 160/90 or higher for hypertension. 439, 448 (1995). NOTE: ALSO complete appropriate questionnaires for hypertension-related complications, if any (such as VA Form 21-0960J-1, Kidney Conditions (Nephrology) Disability Benefits Questionnaire , if renal insufficiency is attributable to hypertension.). 38 USCA 5107; 38 CFR 3.102; see also Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. Generally, the more severe your disability, the higher the VA rating youll receive. In 2019 and 2020 I received numerous award letters in my favor and two were backdated to 2011. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. The levels range from daily use of high-dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications to intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy. Examiners are looking for sufficient medical evidence to substantiate your hypertension. The fact that some diagnostic codes do include standards regarding the effects of medication, but others dont, is on purpose. Also, complete any appropriate questionnaires for hypertension-related complications, if any, such as Kidney, if renal insufficiency is attributable to hypertension. 6 Things Every Veteran Needs to Know About VA Disability for Medication Hypertension and High Blood Pressure are the same thing. The VA rates veterans with hypothyroidism at either a 30% or 100% disability rating. Note (1):Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. It is explained as "continuous medication required for control." Hypertension rating with medication. A DBQ allows you to address symptoms, severity, possible causes, and how the condition may be related to other disabilities. The CDC estimates that 47% of Americans have this disease and that more than 670,000 deaths in the United States had hypertension as a primary or contributing cause.. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) is rated underCFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. Of course, HOWyou try to showthe elements of service-connection can often be the difference between a grant and a denial of a claim. Kidney disease also is common among veterans. 0000006280 00000 n In order to be eligible for a VA rating for hypertension, a veteran must meet three (3) criteria by law: If you think you have hypertension, but dont have a medical diagnosis,pick-up the phone and call the VA mental health facility nearest youto make an appointment right away! Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 As a Certified C&P Examiner, he works to help veterans better understand the VA Disability system, especially from a clinical perspective. The VA uses diagnostic codes to classify the type and severity of a disability. 2trill4925. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Disabilities labeled as static, stable, or permanent are usually not scheduled for reexamination, nor are disabilities rated at the minimum. But you may be eligible for other VA benefits. The examining physician will schedule readings be taken two or more times on at least three different days. 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. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Does the veteran have a diagnosis of Hypertension or Isolated Systolic Hypertension based on the following criteria? 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 following is an incomplete list of examples of when the VA can consider the effects of medication when assigning a disability rating. 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. There are a variety of secondary conditions to Hypertension, to include High Blood Pressure secondary to Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure secondary to Kidney Disease, High Blood Pressure secondary to Thyroid, and High Blood Pressure secondary to the side effects of certain medications (more on that below). How to Protect Veterans From Financial Exploitation of Their VA Benefits April 26, 2023 Dear Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran, A veteran disabled in the service of our country Today,Brian Reesethe VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 72 Best Federal Veteran Benefits from A to Z. 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%. The following are a list of common questions asked at a C&P exam for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), based on theDBQ for Hypertension. 20 percent rating: when your diastolic pressure is 110 to 119, or your systolic pressure (the top number) is 200 or higher. 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. Does the veterans treatment plan include taking continuous medication for Hypertension or Isolated Systolic Hypertension? To understand why this is the case, read on. There are some cases in which the VA is not likely to reevaluate veterans health conditions or reduce or remove their benefits. Medication plays an essential role in controlling the symptoms of PTSD and other mental disorders. trailer The VA rates hypertensive vascular disease under diagnostic code 7101. 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%. Two numbers measure blood pressure. 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. Felicia W. - An Army veteran from South Carolina. 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. 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 you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. If you receive a 0% disability rating for a service-connected condition, we call this a non-compensable disability. This means theres a 50/50 chance. 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. 0000007421 00000 n Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. disability claim takes an average of 95 days to decide the validity of the submitted request. The VA's Ratings for Diabetes - Explained - Hill & Ponton, P.A. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 0000008255 00000 n This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. 0000006309 00000 n As a Nurse Practitioner and VA C&P Examiner, Ive served many veterans exposed to Agent Orange who are seeking disability compensation for hypertension. <<8E4B8C960726A8499E107803A9E016BA>]/Prev 425860/XRefStm 1837>> Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Eventually, the hose, its connectors, and the pump supplying the pressure will all experience damage. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. If you are dealing with side effects from medication or treatment for a service-connected health condition or are experiencing side effects from the medication you took during military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits for these conditions. 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. Describe the history, including onset and course, of the veterans High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) condition? If the diagnostic code for a condition does not mention medication, andwith or without ita veteran currently meets the criteria outlined in the Schedule of Ratings to receive benefits for the disability, the veteran will continue to qualify for VA benefits. Will I lose VA benefits if medicine improves my condition? I am sick, and the VA was stalling. VA Raters May Try toReduce Your RatingDue tothe Medicines You Take. 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. If the VA denies your benefits, you may want to file an appeal. Medical diagnosis of High Blood Pressure, in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. VA Ratings range from 0% all the way up to 100 . Phone. You may be owed compensation. 0000003992 00000 n Technically, you need more than half of your readings to meet the 10% criteria. Generally, blood pressure is determined in two ways: The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. Diagnostic codes are specifically for disabilities that can be service connected, which means caused or aggravated by military . CFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101. This can lead to several life-threatening medical problems, such as heart failure, kidney failure, and dementia. Please complete this form to send us your message. If youve been denied a VA hypertension diagnosis in the past on this basis, you can consider filing for a supplemental claim with the evidence outlined above. Also, veterans over the age of 55 are rarely sent for reexaminations. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. 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. 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. 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. 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. No, High Blood Pressure is not currently on the VA presumptive list. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. 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. 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. Hypertension VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation Page . 0000007742 00000 n Fill out the short form below to contact us. It is explained as continuous medication required for control.. VA rating for High Blood Pressure : r/VeteransBenefits - Reddit can be a cause and a consequence of hypertension. A C&P exam for Hypertension involves a series of verbal questions, to include a physical examination with a stethoscope (listening to your heart and breathing), and diagnostic testing using a sphygmomanometer, which consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve. 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 . The severe form of IBS is rated at 30% and the moderate form of IBS is rated by the VA at 10%. The VA rating for high blood pressure is anywhere from 10% to 60%, depending on how high the veterans blood pressure readings are. Hypertension from 0% to 10% question - Veterans Benefits Network Veterans with PTSD are prone to hypertension because of PTSDs fear-related symptoms like hypervigilance, anxiety, and avoidance. You're not alone. The average adult blood pressure is 120/80. 0000085228 00000 n Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! There is no specified time interval between readings, and they may be completed sequentially. App. When considering a rating, the VA typically looks at the condition and its symptoms at the time of application for disability benefits. VA Disability Ratings for High Blood Pressure. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. 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. Yes, hypertension is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60% depending upon the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms. Shinseki (2012), the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) held that veterans are entitled to disability ratings based on their unmedicated condition (i.e., the higher disability evaluation) if the effects of the medication are not explicitly mentioned in the rating schedule. VA rating for High Blood Pressure. Its possible for your Hypertension to be caused or made worse by another service connected disability for secondary service connection, and vice versa. Veterans Court reminds the VA: the BVA must adjudicate the logically related informal claim. I take 130mg daily, BP is controlled and my rating is 0%. 20 percent disability rating: $327.99 per month. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. A blood pressure reading is given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and it has two numbers. The VA factors medication into the general rating formula for mental disorders to provide a rating for PTSD. Non-Compensable Disability | Veterans Affairs However, Ischemic Heart Disease is on the Agent Orange presumptive list (also called Coronary Heart Disease), and is rated under Diagnostic Code (DC)7005. Symptoms can range from short-term nausea and headaches to long-term impacts on internal organs. For many of these conditions, the need for medication helps to demonstrate the severity of the disability. Is Your VA Rating for Hypertension Based on Successful Control with 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. Veterans with fibromyalgia experience pain all over their bodies. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 But, until then, the VA cannot deny higher ratings based on relief from medications if the code doesnt mention medication. You can still get a formal VA hypertension diagnosis if you're already on medication for high blood pressure, so this really only affects people who are trying to control their high blood pressure without medication. Talk to Us About Your Claim:(866) 232-5777. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Undiagnosed, the symptoms of IBS might be a component of Gulf War Illness. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. not. High blood pressure can occur for years without any . Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. VA Disability for Hypertension in South Carolina - Joye Law Firm Unless the effects of medications are specifically included in the impairment rating criteria for your condition, the VA is NOTallowed to consider whether a particular medication moderates a Veterans condition in determining the degree of disability. 0000018558 00000 n For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. (2) The amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. Now that its on the list of presumptive conditions after decades of effort, this will positively affect the many veterans and service members exposed during service who are now suffering hypertensions ill effects. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Required fields are marked *. j@ V#,:70e150D1+0{00017(:0,X:. 0}l ~`4% The problem is, a lot of Veterans believe them, because it sounds pretty reasonable. You could be having a hypertensive crisis that could lead to aheart attackorstroke. DOCX Section E. Cardiovascular System Conditions (U.S. Department of If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certainsymptoms to look out for, including: Yes, hypertension is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60% depending upon the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms. Thank you so much!! startxref Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Sleep apnea increases your risk of hypertension, with about half of people with apnea having high blood pressure. I'm sure I would not have received these awards if it wasn't for Woods and Woods. 0000003350 00000 n In this post, we will be taking a deep dive into the legal and medical requirements for how to get aVA Rating for Hypertension. Yes, High Blood Pressure is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60% depending upon the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms as well as how those symptoms affect your Occupational and Social Impairment meaning your work, life, and social functioning. HYPERTENSION DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE. It appeared to him that he met the criteria for a 30% rating, but the VA denied his request for an increase from 10%. hb```b``cd`c`bd@ AV(^ro4T' euCSWX c6#NA@O$O Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 VA Disability Compensation Benefits for hypertension: How to qualify 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. These ratings also reference the general rating formula for diseases of the eye. Several conditions listed in the Schedule of Ratings list medication use in their rating criteria. People with hypertension may worry about their physical health, causing anxiety. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Nathan Costiuc, RN, APRN, FNP-BC Updated: November 4, 2022.
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