How do I claim hypertension as service connected?
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure a few years after I got out. I never had it in service. Can I still get this service-connected?
1 Answer
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is commonly claimed in three ways: 1. Direct Service Connection: If you had high blood pressure readings in your service medical records. 2. Secondary Service Connection: If your high blood pressure is caused or aggravated by another service-connected condition, such as chronic pain, sleep apnea, or kidney issues. 3. Presumptive Service Connection (PACT Act/Agent Orange): If you served in specific locations (like Vietnam or certain PACT Act zones), hypertension is now a presumptive condition. This means you only have to prove service in those areas and a current diagnosis—no nexus letter required. To be rated, you must have three separate blood pressure readings on different days showing a diastolic pressure of 100 or higher, or a systolic pressure of 160 or higher.