VA Conditions Secondary to Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is common among veterans who have experienced long-term excessive stress or been exposed to certain chemicals during their service. Veterans with chronic hypertension are at a higher risk of developing serious medical issues related to their hypertension.
If you have received a VA disability rating for hypertension and developed a related condition, you may be eligible to file a claim for a secondary condition and receive higher monthly benefits. Veterans Guide is here to help you understand your options and file a claim if you qualify.
Common VA Conditions Secondary to Hypertension
Hypertension damages blood vessels and increases your risk for multiple disorders. The following are some common conditions that are secondary to hypertension:
- Heart disease: Patients develop heart disease from high blood pressure because the added pressure on artery walls makes the heart work harder. This process causes the muscle to weaken or become so thick that the cells can’t get enough oxygen.
- Stroke: Hypertension causes blood vessels to narrow and harden, which increases the risk of bursting or blockage.
- Chronic kidney disease: Hypertension can narrow the blood vessels in your kidneys, reducing the healthy blood flow your kidneys need to filter waste. According to the National Kidney Foundation, this is the second leading cause of kidney failure
- Gout: Gout is a form of arthritis that develops when uric acid, a natural waste product, crystallizes and causes joint swelling. You may develop gout due to impaired kidney function caused by hypertension. Ironically, some blood pressure drugs may also increase uric acid levels and increase gout risk.
- Vascular dementia: Hypertension damages the blood vessels responsible for blood flow to the brain. Reduced blood flow can lead to a buildup of waste in the brain tissue and may break down key connections, potentially causing cognitive decline.
- Erectile dysfunction: High blood pressure can cause arteries to harden, which limits blood flow to the reproductive organs. This can make it difficult for the body to develop and maintain erections.
- Liver disease: Hypertension is a known risk factor for certain liver diseases. Researchers continue to investigate the connection, but artery stiffness and increased susceptibility to alcohol toxicity may each play a role.
- Atherosclerosis: This condition involves the narrowing of the arteries due to fatty buildup on the artery walls. Hypertension can exacerbate atherosclerosis or increase risk by further narrowing and hardening the artery walls, which can cause blockages or bursts.
If you have developed these or other hypertension-related conditions, you may qualify for additional benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To receive these benefits, you must prove a connection between your secondary condition and your service-connected disability.
How To Establish a Service Connection for Secondary Conditions Linked to Hypertension
Secondary conditions are disabling illnesses or injuries that develop from or are exacerbated by a service-connected disability. The secondary condition does not need a service connection; it needs only to be connected to the primary condition.
If your secondary condition further limits your ability to function, you may apply to the VA to rate that condition as a disability. Should you receive a rating, the VA will combine your old and new ratings into a higher combined rating, which often qualifies you for additional benefits.
For example, suppose your service-connected hypertension has qualified you for a 20% disability rating. You maintain a part-time job until you develop secondary heart disease, which forces you to quit. You file a secondary claim and receive a 60% disability rating for your heart condition. The VA would then combine those ratings using its official ratings table, resulting in a new overall rating of 70%.
Requirements for a Secondary Claim
In a VA disability claim for a secondary condition, you must establish the following:
- A primary service-connected condition: To receive a rating for your secondary illness or injury, you must have received a disability rating for your hypertension as a primary disabling condition.
- A diagnosed secondary condition: You must have received a formal diagnosis of your hypertension-related illness or injury to receive additional benefits.
- Confirmation of connection: You must submit medical documentation proving that your hypertension caused or exacerbated your secondary
Medical Evidence and the Nexus Letter
As with any VA claim, submit as much medical evidence as possible, including records confirming your diagnosis, treatment notes, specialist referrals, hospital discharge papers, test results, and any other related documentation.
Since this is a secondary claim, you will have already received confirmation that your hypertension is a service-connected disability. You do not need to prove this again. However, you do need official confirmation that your secondary condition is related to your hypertension.
For most veterans, the most reliable way to prove this connection is through a nexus letter. A nexus letter is a written expert opinion from a medical professional connecting your condition to your service.
You may have already submitted a nexus letter when you filed your initial claim. This new nexus letter will be different, as it will directly address the secondary issue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are answers to questions we often receive from veterans about secondary conditions related to hypertension:
What Types of Secondary Conditions Are Most Commonly Associated With Hypertension?
Most conditions secondary to hypertension are circulatory issues or have poor circulation as an established risk factor. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke, often result from high blood pressure. Other commonly related illnesses include kidney and liver disease, which can develop because of impaired blood flow.
Can Hypertension Cause Permanent Disability?
While the highest VA disability rating for hypertension is 60%, hypertension can be a chronic condition that leaves patients permanently incapable of work. Thus, you may be entitled to Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability benefits, or TDIU. TDIU benefits may become permanent when the veteran reaches the age of 70 or receives TDIU payments for 20 years. Alternatively, you may receive a 100% combined rating with hypertension and a secondary condition.
How Do I Prove That My Secondary Condition Is Linked to Hypertension?
You must submit evidence, such as medical records and a nexus letter from a qualified medical professional. A nexus letter should certify that your service-connected hypertension contributed to or exacerbated the secondary condition you are claiming.
Will Secondary Conditions Related to Hypertension Impact My VA Disability Rating?
If the VA approves your claim for a condition secondary to hypertension, you will receive a rating for that secondary condition. The VA will combine the two ratings into a higher single rating, which may qualify you for additional benefits.
Can I Receive VA Benefits for Both Hypertension and Its Secondary Conditions?
When you file a VA disability claim for secondary conditions, your adjusted rating reflects the combined disabling level of both conditions. You will not receive a stand-alone rating for each separate condition.
Maximizing VA Benefits for Hypertension and Secondary Conditions
Hypertension is a contributing cause for many circulatory and related conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. If you have developed a condition secondary to service-connected hypertension, you can file a claim for additional benefits.
It’s essential to include all relevant medical evidence, including a nexus letter establishing the connection with hypertension as a primary service-connected disability.
Whether you’re applying for initial benefits, appealing a denial, or filing a secondary claim, Veterans Guide is here to help.
Contact us today for help pursuing the benefits you’ve earned.
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