Examiners Are Looking For Sufficient Medical Evidence To Substantiate Your Hypertension
Not only do your blood pressure readings have to meet the above definitions, but they must also be documented over a period of three different days and measured at least twice a day.
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.
If you dont have your own blood pressure machine, you can get a reading taken at any local pharmacy. 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.
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How Do You Get Checked For High Blood Pressure
Checking your blood pressure is simple. Your provider places a fabric cuff around your upper arm and pumps it full of air. Your provider then listens to your heartbeat while the air lets out of the cuff.
Follow these steps to help your provider correctly measure your blood pressure:
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt or blouse.
- Empty your bladder.
- For at least 30 minutes before your appointment, donât:
- Do any vigorous activity
Is Hypertension A Va Disability
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.
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is rated under CFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101.
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What Is The Va Rating For High Blood Pressure
VA regulations do not agree with current standards for diagnosing hypertension.
VA requires that a veterans blood pressure readings must have a diastolic reading that is predominantly 90mm or greater and /or a systolic reading that is predominantly 160mm. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm.
The VA ratings for hypertension are significantly higher than the standards provided by the American Heart Association. Not only does the agency require the blood pressure readings to be greater than what is used by the American Heart Association, but it also requires that the initial blood pressure reading be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days.
This means, for those still in active service, that if a military doctor does not recognize an elevated blood pressure reading and conduct additional blood pressure tests that would meet the VAs regulations, a veteran is left in a difficult position after he or she leaves service.
Hypertension As A Va Disability
Hypertensive vascular disease is considered a potential VA disability under the Federal Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Code 7101 .
The VA considers hypertension to be a diastolic blood pressure that is predominantly 90 mmHg or greater, and isolated systolic hypertension to be a systolic blood pressure that is predominantly 160 mmHg or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90 mmHg. This is a stricter standard than adopted by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association .
The VA also requires that hypertension be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days .
When a Veteran applies for VA disability benefits, the VA assigns a VA Disability Rating to their medical condition. The rating, set by law and expressed as a percentage in 10-percent increments from 0% to 100%, determines the amount of VA benefits that a Veteran receives for service-connected conditions.
For hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension, the VA assigns disability ratings of:
The VAs basic disability compensation rates are based on the Veterans disability rating and the number of dependents. For 2021, the VA pays $144.14 per month for a 10% disability rating and $284.93 for a 20% rating, regardless of dependents. With no dependents, monthly compensation for a 40% rating is $635.77, and for a 60% rating, it is $1,146.39.
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Va Disability Rating For Hyperthyroidism And Hypothyroidism
When setting a VA disability rating for hyperthyroidism, the VA sets an initial rating percentage of 30% for six months after the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. After six months, your VA disability rating is determined by rating the residuals. This means a residual rating is determined for each symptom you experience and an aggregate disability rating is calculated from those residual ratings using VA math. You can see a complete detail of the law in 38 CFR § 4.119.
For example, if your symptoms include heart problems, eye problems, and tremors, each disability would be individually rated, then the VA math formula would be applied to produce an overall hyperthyroidism VA disability rating.
This process can be highly advantageous for service members and veterans with severe cases of hyperthyroidism or cases that affect many different body systems. Depending on the nature of your symptoms, you could receive a disability rating in excess of the 30% initial rating for hyperthyroid.
The process of setting a VA disability rating for hypothyroid is similar. If myxedema is present, the VA sets an initial disability rating of 100% for six months after diagnosis. If myxedema is not present, the VA sets an initial rating percentage of 30% for six months post-diagnosis.
How the VA combined rating table works:
C& p Exam For Hypertension
For the VA to consider disability benefits for hypertension, you must file a claim. The VA will likely request a Compensation and Pension exam. The examining physician will schedule readings be taken two or more times on at least three different days. The readings must be 160/90 or higher for hypertension.
You also can use a Disability Benefits Questionnaire to help your claim. A DBQ allows you to address symptoms, severity, possible causes, and how the condition may be related to other disabilities. A private physician can complete the form for you.
If youre already on medication for hypertension, youll likely need to include those medical records in your claim.
Once the VA processes your claim for benefits, you will receive a confirmation or denial. If the VA denies your benefits, you may want to file an appeal. If you win your appeal, you should receive monthly compensation plus compensation back to when you filed your claim.
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How Does The Va Rate High Blood Pressure
The VA rates High Blood Pressure under CFR Title 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diseases of the Arteries and Veins, Diagnostic Code 7101 Hypertension at 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60% depending upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms.
- 60%: A 60 percent VA rating for High Blood Pressure is granted if your diastolic pressure measures 130 or higher.
- 40%: A 40 percent rating is warranted if your diastolic pressure is 120 to 129.
- 20%: A 20 percent rating for High Blood Pressure is given if your diastolic pressure is 110 to 119, or your systolic pressure is 200 or higher.
- 10%: A 10 percent VA rating is assigned for High Blood Pressure if your diastolic pressure is 100 to 109, or your systolic pressure is 160 to 199.
How Do I Apply To Receive A Rating For My Condition
If you are still in the military, then you can request your military physician to refer you to the MEB and start the IDES process. If you are already a veteran, you can submit a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding the conditions on the claim.
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Disability Benefits For Diabetes Mellitus
Social Security Disability Lawyers: Riverside, Orange & San Bernardino Counties
Disability Benefits for Diabetes?Diabetes is caused by problems with insulin. In Type I diabetes , the pancreas makes too little or no insulin, and in Type II diabetes , the problem is insulin resistance, often from obesity, where the insulin doesnt work well. The body needs insulin to transport glucose into the cells of the body. When there is too little insulin or theres insulin resistance, glucose cannot get into the cells of the body, and the sugar in the bloodstream becomes elevated. When glucose cant get into the cells of the body, multiple metabolic problems occur, because cells need glucose to generate energy.Genetic factors play a huge role in the development of Type I diabetes. They are also important in Type II diabetes, but life-style is also very important. Diagnosis of Diabetes
Diabetes is diagnosed by doing lab work and finding high levels of glucose in the blood stream. There is another test, called the A1C, that measures and averages what the blood sugar has been running for the past 3 months or so. Its a look back test, and it is useful in diagnosing diabetes along with a fasting glucose. Complications of Diabetes
SSA utilizes the term Impairmentsare the essential bits of information that must be clearly and consistently documented throughout your medical history by the treating sources .
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How Does Hypertension Affect Your Ability To Function
When you’re applying for disability benefits, Social Security is most concerned with the symptoms you experience and the way they limit your daily activities. For instance, if you have hypertension that’s well controlled with medicine, a restrictive diet, and no other serious health conditions, you won’t qualify for disability benefits.
But if your high blood pressure has caused a serious heart condition, like an enlarged heart, the resulting symptoms might seriously limit the kind of work you could do. Whether your medical condition was caused by hypertension or your high blood pressure was caused by something else, you can get disability benefits if you can demonstrate that you have limitations that make you unable to work in any type of job on a consistent basis.
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Types Of Evidence To Submit To Help Prove The Connection
- Doctors Note, or Medical NexusIt can be helpful to have a doctor submit a letter stating that there is a causal relationship between your sleep apnea and your hypertension. Your doctor should state that they believe your hypertension is at least as likely as not caused by your sleep apnea.
- Relevant Medical RecordsRelevant medical records can help show the connection between the two conditions and prove that your hypertension is linked to your sleep apnea.
- Medical ArticlesArticles written for medical journals or other reputable sources can serve as evidence to support the causal relationship between sleep apnea and hypertension.
- Lay EvidenceLay evidence refers to statements that are written by the veteran, the veterans family, or fellow service members, which speak to the veterans medical conditions or their service. Lay evidence can help support a claim for hypertension secondary to sleep apnea, as the veteran can speak to their experience with both conditions. Importantly, however, the person writing lay evidence should only speak to what they know. This means that the veteran cannot necessarily submit a medical opinion saying that their sleep apnea directly caused their hypertension, but they can speak to how both conditions affect them.
The Risks Of Hypertension
Every heartbeat pumps blood through your bodys arteries. Blood pressure measures the amount of force exerted on artery walls throughout your circulatory system. So when your blood pressure rises to higher-than-normal levels, your heart works much harder to circulate blood through your body. Ideal blood pressure numbers stay consistently below 120/80 . If your blood pressure usually ranges anywhere from 120/80 to 129/89, you may have whats known as prehypertension. Below are the American Heart Associations current number ranges for diagnosing hypertension:
- 130/80-130/89: High blood pressure, stage 1. If this describes you, ask your doctor to conduct a 10-year heart disease and stroke assessment. With a risk of 10% or less, you can likely control your BP with medication and lifestyle changes. Schedule a follow-up visit to reassess your status in 3-6 months.
- 140/90 or higher: High blood pressure, stage 2. Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes, prescribe two or more blood pressure medications and monthly follow-ups. Once your BPs under control, your doctor may potentially decrease your medications. Losing weight, eating less salt, drinking less alcohol, regular exercise and not smoking can help improve your blood pressure.
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Can You Work With High Blood Pressure
Yes, you can work with high blood pressure, but you need to follow some precautions and tips to keep your high blood pressure in control and prevent further escalation. Hypertension will have a minimal impact on your work and personal life if you can keep its symptoms and causes under control.However, some people can get some side effects of high blood pressure, such as dizziness, mood fluctuations, fatigue, and other similar problems. You can work with high blood pressure without any problems if you eat healthy stuff. Eating a healthy diet will help you keep your blood pressure in control. You can start by reducing the salt intake in your diet, and you should aim to reduce your sodium intake and save it to less than 2,300 milligrams in a day. People who can maintain an ideal weight can also control high blood pressures side effects and symptoms.
Is Your Va Rating For Hypertension Based On Successful Control With Hypertension Medication
by Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. Attorneys at Law | Jul 10, 2019 | In The Community, Veterans Disability Benefits, Veterans’ Issues |
Hypertension is described as high arterial blood pressure. It is present if the diastolic blood pressure is 90 or more and systolic pressure is 140 or more, or if both are present. It has to be confirmed by readings taken two of more times on at least three different days.
In general, a rating for a disability will not be based on whether or not medication is helping the disability. However, the Court has stated that a Veteran may not be denied entitlement to a higher rating on the basis of relief provided by medication when those effects are not specifically contemplated by the rating criteria. So, if the rating criteria considers whether or not medication helps with the disability, the rating will only be determined based on the evidence of the disability after medication, not based on non-medicated symptoms. Hypertension is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.104, under diagnostic code 7101. The Court has stated that diagnostic code 7101 DOES contemplate the effects of medication.
There are other disabilities and diagnostic codes that also are rated based on whether or not medication controls the symptoms. However, unless a diagnostic code specifically considers the relief afforded by medication, the VA cannot use medicine as a weapon to lower a rating.
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How Is Eligibility Determined
A person will only be eligible for disability payments if they can demonstrate total or severe disability that prevents them from undertaking most work. Medical experts must expect the disability to last at least 1 year or end in death.
There is an earnings cap that changes annually. People cannot earn above this cap and continue receiving disability benefits.
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What Happens After You File Your Hbp Application
After you file a disability application, you’ll be notified of your claims examiner’s name and phone number by mail. You might receive other paperwork to complete, and you might be called for a telephone interview. You could also be sent for a medical examination at Social Security’s expense .
Once a decision has been made on your claim, which usually takes three to four months, you’ll be notified by mail. It’s not unheard of for it to take much longer for this decision to come, but you can check the status of your claim online or contact your claims examiner with any questions.
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% On One Or More Of The Following:
- 8, 9, or 10 METs on the shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue or fainting
- Daily medication
As a veteran with congestive heart failure, it is essential to understand the symptoms, treatments, and ratings. You must be able to consult with your physician on further instruction. By learning the basic terminology, you can educate yourself and help others as well!
How Does The Va Rate Kidney Disease
If youre a veteran with kidney disease, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The VA will consider several factors when rating this disease.
The VA rates kidney disease under the genitourinary system. There are two separate rating schedules: one for dysfunctions and one for diagnoses . In most cases, the rating code for diagnoses will reference the dysfunctions rating code for proper evaluation of the severity of the condition.
For example if you have chronic kidney disease, and now require regular dialysis, the VA is supposed to rate your condition under Chronic renal disease requiring regular dialysis . In addition, this particular rating code requires the VA rater to consider renal dysfunctions when evaluating your condition, under the dysfunctions rating schedule.
The VA rates chronic kidney disease primarily as a renal dysfunction, and has 5 rating percentages for this condition: 0 percent, 30 percent, 60 percent, 80 percent, and 100 percent. These percentages are based on:
- The amount of albuminuria present in a urine sample, with edema AND/OR
- The amount of waste collected in a blood test OR
- A rating of high blood pressure under the VAs diagnostic code OR
- Generalized poor health
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