Rating guide · Cardiovascular
Hypertension: Old Readings, New Rules
Two things make high blood pressure worth a fresh look: the 10% minimum for controlled blood pressure, which depends on readings from before treatment, and the PACT Act’s Agent Orange presumptive.
- Rating criteria
- Pre-medication readings
- Agent Orange presumptive
- Related conditions
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Why Your Old Blood Pressure Readings Matter
If your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) was predominantly 100 or more before you started medication, and you now need continuous medication to control it, you qualify for at least 10%, even with normal readings today. Pull older records from before treatment began: doctor visits, physicals, even an old DOT exam.
For VA purposes, hypertension means diastolic predominantly 90 or higher, or systolic predominantly 160 or higher with diastolic under 90, confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days.
Hypertension Rating Levels
2026 pay for a veteran with no dependents.
Agent Orange Exposure: No Link to Prove
High blood pressure is now presumptive for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. That covers Vietnam and the newer qualifying locations and periods, including bases in Thailand, Laos, parts of Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Atoll. Details are in our PACT Act guide.
Connections in both directions
Hypertension can be secondary to kidney disease, sleep apnea or PTSD with medical support, and service-connected hypertension can lead to heart disease, kidney disease or stroke. Hypertensive heart disease gets its own rating.
Hypertension VA Rating: Common Questions
Can I get rated if my blood pressure is controlled?
Yes, potentially. The 10% minimum applies with a history of diastolic readings predominantly 100 or more and a need for continuous medication.
Do Vietnam veterans need a medical opinion for hypertension?
Not if they served in a qualifying location and period. Hypertension is presumptive for Agent Orange exposure under the PACT Act.
How many readings are required?
Two or more readings on at least three different days.
Is heart disease included?
No. Heart disease, including hypertensive heart disease, is rated separately from hypertension.
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