#6. Contact Woods and Woods to file an initial claim or appeal a rating decision. 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 most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. <<8E4B8C960726A8499E107803A9E016BA>]/Prev 425860/XRefStm 1837>> In this post, we will be taking a deep dive into the legal and medical requirements for how to get aVA Rating 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. Between the years of 1962-1971, American troops dumped more than 19 million gallons of herbicide on vegetation in lands around Vietnam, Laos, and nearby areas, in order to remove forest, VA Disability Compensation: Veterans of the Vietnam Era and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma UPDATE: As of January 2020,Blue Water claimsare being processed. In the decision, the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) mentioned that anti-acid medication provided some relief of symptoms.. 0000018327 00000 n Unfortunately, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common diagnosis among veterans. The general rating formula for heart disease also mentions medication in the lowest rating of 10%. A DBQ allows you to address symptoms, severity, possible causes, and how the condition may be related to other disabilities. Scientific evidence lending credence to this connection has been touted by veterans and veterans groups for years and now the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs has finally acknowledged Agent Oranges contribution to this chronic disability. According to VA medical research, hypertension is one of the most common chronic condition in veterans, affecting more than 37% of the veteran population. Just like your old chain-of-command in the military had a responsibility to help you get the resources you needed to accomplish your mission as a soldier, the VA also has a responsibility to assist you in proving the highest lawful rate that you are entitled to. Contact Us Today. In the appeal decision, the CAVC explained that within the Schedule of Ratings, the criteria for rating some disabilities includes a mention of medication. *H?x3^|H10F1M/ ; 0000006309 00000 n An attorney can also help you appeal a previous VA rating decision regarding hypertension or associated secondary disabilities, if necessary. Keep in mind the VA checks were after being on medication for high blood pressure for over 4 years. All Rights Reserved. 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. 0000018593 00000 n The VA rates hypertensive vascular disease under diagnostic code 7101. 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. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 0000004237 00000 n 0000085926 00000 n 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. 2E. 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 . Also, complete any appropriate questionnaires for hypertension-related complications, if any, such as Kidney, if renal insufficiency is attributable to hypertension. Agent Orange is an herbicide that was widely used as. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. The issue was settled by a 2012 decision of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and in general, the answer is no. Within that framework, then, there are ACC/AHA Guidelines specific to HTN. Medical evidence must link the primary and secondary service-connected impairments, or the secondary impairment must link to another service-connected health concern. Its possible for your Hypertension to be caused or made worse by another service connected disability for secondary service connection, and vice versa. VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs 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. 1. Thank you so much!! The VA factors medication into the general rating formula for mental disorders to provide a rating for PTSD. 2. of . hA 04q\GcwzC. Do I qualify for VA benefits if medication improves my condition? In a VA Disability Claim, can your medications reduce the rating the VA I have high blood pressure that has been measured at 220/110 in a Dr's office. 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. 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. 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. Of course, HOWyou try to showthe elements of service-connection can often be the difference between a grant and a denial of a claim. 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 hormones cause your blood pressure to increase because your body senses something is wrong. 0000004565 00000 n Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 VA Disability Benefits For Hypertension - The Veterans Law Office 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. VA Disability Ratings for High Blood Pressure. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for High Blood Pressure - VA Claims Insider ), Ethnicity (African American and Hispanic people are more likely to develop it. 20 percent rating: when your diastolic pressure is 110 to 119, or your systolic pressure (the top number) is 200 or higher. Your High Blood Pressure was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service, #3. 0000018823 00000 n In 2019 and 2020 I received numerous award letters in my favor and two were backdated to 2011. What the PACT Act Means for Veterans Suffering From Agent Orange Hypertension, Clinical Corner: A Disability Examiners Perspective on Agent Orange Hypertension. 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 . 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. These two numbers will affect your final VA disability rating for High Blood Pressure: High Blood Pressure or Hypertension symptoms vary from veteran to veteran. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I had been going back and forth with the VA since 2009 about various health conditions that happen during my time in the Navy. Your doctor (even one from the VA) accepts this definition (and treats accordingly). 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. What is the VA disability rating for hypothyroidism? When a person has kidney disease, the kidneys stop removing waste and extra fluid from the blood. Medical diagnosis of High Blood Pressure, in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. 25. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. 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. See 38 CFR 3.310(a). Learn more about how VA Claims Insider can help you get the rating you DESERVE!Speak with a VA Disability expert and start for FREE! It is explained as "continuous medication required for control." Hypertension rating with medication. #7. Top 5 Tips for fighting Veteran Hypertension - VA Claims Insider What are the current dates of this evaluation and corresponding blood pressure readings? Generally, the more severe your disability, the higher the VA rating youll receive. However, unless medication is mentioned in the Schedule of Ratings under the conditions diagnostic code, the VA may not consider the beneficial effect of a veterans medication in assigning a rating. Again, the VA presumptive list does NOT include high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke. The diastolic is the bottom number. A 60% hypertension rating could qualify a veteran for total disability individual unemployability benefits. Considerable medical evidence has shown that reducing your blood pressure can contribute to a significant reduction in risk for stroke among veterans.