VA Disability Rating for High Blood Pressure: Qualify, File, and Get the Benefits You Deserve

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common medical condition that can lead to more serious health problems over time.

It’s also one of the most frequently reported health issues among former service members. If your high blood pressure is linked to your military service, you may be eligible for a VA disability rating, which could qualify you for monthly compensation.

If you’re living with hypertension, you might be asking:

• Can you get VA disability benefits for high blood pressure?
• What kind of rating might you receive?
• And how can you make sure the VA fully understands your situation?

In this guide, we’ll break it all down. What the VA looks for, what evidence matters, and how to maximize your chances of getting the benefits you deserve.

What Exactly Is the VA Disability Rating for High Blood Pressure?

The VA assigns disability ratings based on how severe your condition is and how much it affects your day-to-day life. When it comes to high blood pressure (hypertension), your VA disability rating depends mostly on your blood pressure readings and whether you require ongoing medication to manage the condition.

Below is a simplified overview of the VA’s blood pressure rating scale:

Even if your blood pressure is “under control” due to medication, the VA may still assign a 0% rating. But don’t dismiss it. That still qualifies you for free treatment through the VA.

It’s also important to note that hypertension can be linked to other conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or kidney problems. If you have related health issues, your disability rating could be higher depending on how these conditions affect your overall health.

Now that you understand the rating system, the next step is to learn how to effectively present your case to the VA.

Do You Qualify for VA Disability for High Blood Pressure?

If you’re living with hypertension and wondering if it’s covered by the VA, the answer is: it depends. Eligibility is based on when and how your condition started, and if it’s connected to your time in service.

There are three main ways to qualify:

1. Direct Service Connection: If your high blood pressure began during active duty or within a year after discharge.
2. Secondary Service Connection: Your hypertension developed as a result of another service-connected condition, such as PTSD, diabetes, or kidney disease.
3. Presumptive Connection: You’ve served during the Vietnam-era and were exposed to Agent Orange, or you’re covered under the PACT Act.

Presumptive service connections can make the process easier. If you served in areas like Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, or Guam between 1962–1975 and were exposed to Agent Orange, you may not need as much medical evidence to support your claim.

To build a strong case, you’ll need:

• A current medical diagnosis
• Evidence your condition began or worsened during or after service
• A nexus letter from a healthcare provider linking your hypertension to your service

Once you confirm your eligibility, the next step is filing your claim.

Also Read: How Long Can Someone Survive with High Blood Pressure?

How to File for High Blood Pressure VA Disability the Right Way

Filing a VA disability claim may feel overwhelming but breaking it down into steps can make it manageable.

Start with these basics:

• Complete VA Form 21-526EZ (available online or at your local VA office)
• Gather all relevant medical records (from both VA and non-VA providers)
• Include documentation of your diagnosis and ongoing treatment
• Keep a log of your blood pressure readings over time
• Obtain a nexus letter from your healthcare provider explaining the connection to your service

Prepare for the C&P Exam (Compensation & Pension Exam):

This exam allows the VA to evaluate your condition in person. They’ll take multiple blood pressure readings and ask about how hypertension affects your daily life. Be honest and thorough. Don’t minimize your symptoms.

The VA may also schedule review exams in the future, especially if your case is complex or your health status changes.

Quick checklist before you submit your claim:

• Confirmed diagnosis
• Blood pressure readings over time
• Strong medical evidence
• Nexus letter or proof of presumptive eligibility

Submitting your claim is a crucial first step. The real challenge is ensuring you receive a fair and accurate disability rating.

How to Get the Highest Possible VA Disability Rating for High Blood Pressure

Not all high blood pressure claims are created equal. Here’s how to improve your chances of a higher rating:

• Be consistent: Ensure your medical records consistently reflect your condition over time, showing persistent symptoms or readings.
• Speak the VA’s language: When describing your condition, include phrases like “requires continuous medication” or “persistent readings over 160/100” to align with VA rating criteria.
• Track your symptoms: Keep a detailed log of your blood pressure readings and symptoms. Even if medication controls your numbers, the fact that you need ongoing treatment is important.
• Request a rating increase if symptoms worsen: You can file for an increase anytime if your condition gets worse.

If your high blood pressure impacts your ability to work, you might also qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU). This benefit pays at the 100% disability level, even if your official rating is lower.

What If Your Claim Gets Denied?

First off, you wouldn’t be the first one. Denials are common, but they’re also fixable.

Here are a few reasons the VA might deny your claim:

• Incomplete or inconsistent medical records
• Lack of a clear nexus (connection) between your condition and military service
• Inconclusive results from the Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam

If this happens, don’t panic. You have options:

1. Supplemental Claim: Add new medical evidence
2. Higher-Level Review: Ask for a senior reviewer
3. Board Appeal: Present your case to a Veterans Law Judge

A VSO (Veterans Service Organization) or a VA-accredited attorney can help guide you through the appeals process.

If you’ve hit a wall with treatment—or you want to try something new—clinical research might be worth looking into.

Hypertension Clinical Research Trials

At KOCH, we’re here to help veterans explore better care through clinical research studies.

Current hypertension trials focus on:

• New medications with fewer side effects
• Innovative methods to monitor blood pressure outside clinical settings
• Interventions addressing related conditions like stress and PTSD

Qualifying for a study means access to expert care and potential new treatments, while contributing to research that benefits the wider veteran community.

Know Your Rating, Own Your Health

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re a veteran living with high blood pressure, you deserve recognition and support. Your VA disability rating can open doors to treatment, care, and monthly benefits. But only if you file correctly.

Know your numbers. Know your rights. And don’t be afraid to ask for help; from the VA, a VSO, or from your nearest healthcare provider.

You’ve served. You’ve earned this.

Need more support? Learn about KOCH’s current clinical studies for veterans with high blood pressure. You may qualify to participate in research that helps both you and the wider veteran community.