Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of your blood pushing against blood vessel walls is regularly too high. It’s possible for someone to have hypertension without symptoms.
However, if the condition goes on for a long period of time, or you haven’t been prescribed medication, organ problems can develop that might lead to a variety of other health conditions, including coronary heart disease and vision and breathing issues.
Veterans who developed high blood pressure while on active duty could qualify for disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The National Veteran Health Equity Report cites that in 2016, hypertension was the number one diagnosed condition of veterans.
Service-Connecting Hypertension
For veterans to receive disability for hypertension, they must prove their condition was the result of an illness, injury, or an event that occurred during service. So, to get an approved claim from the VA, you need evidence that links your high blood pressure to that event.
There are certain conditions the VA presumes are connected to definitive events during a veteran’s military service. If you receive a diagnosis of hypertension within one year of your release from military duty, the VA presumes a service-connection for this condition. If your diagnosis came after that year mark, you must then prove the service-connection.
Your high blood pressure must be diagnosed by a doctor in order for you to submit a claim with the best chance for approval, and receive a VA disability rating for hypertension. Your health care provider must fill out the Hypertension Disability Benefits Questionnaire. It’s important to note the VA won’t accept the form submitted by veterans. It must come from a licensed physician.
Additionally, your doctor should:
- Include a detailed medical history about your symptoms and conditions.
- Include his professional opinion about how high blood pressure impacts your ability to perform on the job.
Call Cuddigan Law
If you don’t have the necessary medical evidence to support your claim, it may be denied. And even if you have a valid claim with solid evidence, the process to apply for benefits is complicated, and you may be denied even though you meet the requirements.
That’s why you need to contact the skilled, experienced VA attorneys at Cuddigan Law. We help veterans suffering from hypertension submit an application for benefits with the best possible chance of approval. Contact our office today to discuss your situation.
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