Hypertension is rated primarily on diastolic blood pressure readings, with systolic readings and continuous medication use also able to independently qualify at the lower tiers.
Common Filing Mistake
There is no 30% or 50% tier for hypertension, ratings jump from 20% straight to 40%. Also commonly missed: needing daily blood pressure medication to control otherwise-qualifying readings supports at least a 10% rating on its own, the medication successfully controlling your blood pressure does not disqualify you or reduce the rating.
Diagnostic Codes
- DC 7101Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension)
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 60% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more |
| 40% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more |
| 20% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more |
| 10% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or the minimum rating for a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that requires continuous medication for control |
Special Rules
- "Predominantly" means present in more than half of your documented readings, not just your single highest reading, and must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days (DC 7101, Note 1).
- Hypertension was added to the Agent Orange presumptive list in 2022 (38 CFR § 3.309(e)) for veterans with qualifying Vietnam-era service, see the Presumptive Conditions article in the Knowledge Base.
- Hypertension is one of the most commonly successful secondary conditions, frequently linked to PTSD, other mental health diagnoses, or diabetes.
Sourced from 38 CFR §§ 4.71a / 4.130. This is a reference aid, not a rating decision, your actual rating depends on the medical evidence in your specific case and your C&P exam findings. Rules can be amended, verify current text at eCFR.gov or with an accredited VSO before relying on this for a specific claim.