VASRD 7007 · Cardiovascular System
Hypertensive Heart Disease VA Disability Rating
Hypertensive heart disease is heart damage caused by long-standing high blood pressure, which forces the heart to work harder over time and can lead to thickening of the heart muscle, reduced pumping efficiency, or heart failure. It's a PACT Act presumptive condition for many Vietnam-era veterans with qualifying Agent Orange exposure.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Heart failure symptoms appear at the lowest workload the schedule measures — 3.0 METs or less. |
| 60% | Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 3.1 and 5.0 METs. |
| 30% | Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 5.1 and 7.0 METs, or imaging confirms the heart is thickened or enlarged — either one on its own is enough. |
| 10% | Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 7.1 and 10.0 METs, or continuous medication is required to control it — either one on its own is enough. |
How the VA Evaluates Hypertensive Heart Disease
Like other cardiac conditions, the rating is based on METs testing (how much exertion triggers symptoms), ejection fraction, and imaging of the heart's structure, along with whether you require continuous medication just to manage the condition.
Approval outlook
High – common if cardiac tests and blood pressure history available.
Veterans service-connected
~38,000 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~30%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •An echocardiogram showing the heart's structure and function.
- •Stress test results establishing your METs capacity.
- •A medication history showing ongoing treatment for both hypertension and cardiac symptoms.
Strategy Tips
- •Get a METs test or echocardiogram done, since these are the specific measurements the rating schedule uses to determine severity.
- •Show a treatment history for both the underlying hypertension and any cardiac symptoms, since this condition specifically requires demonstrating the heart damage caused by the blood pressure, not just the blood pressure itself.
- •If you have qualifying Agent Orange exposure, connect your claim to presumptive service connection rather than relying only on direct causation.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Not obtaining a METs test or ejection fraction measurement, since without these specific values, the examiner has little basis to assign more than the lowest tier.
- •Missing documented proof of a hypertension history, since this condition specifically requires showing the heart damage stems from chronic high blood pressure.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Not including diagnostic imaging (echocardiogram) that shows the actual cardiac impact of the hypertension.
- •Listing only high blood pressure readings without evidence of actual heart disease, since this code rates the cardiac damage, not hypertension alone.
Onset Patterns
- •Hypertensive heart disease typically develops gradually after years of untreated or poorly controlled high blood pressure placing sustained strain on the heart.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Hypertensive Heart Disease. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common questions about Hypertensive Heart Disease
- Is Hypertensive Heart Disease a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Hypertensive Heart Disease under VASRD diagnostic code 7007 (Cardiovascular System). Hypertensive heart disease is heart damage caused by long-standing high blood pressure, which forces the heart to work harder over time and can lead to thickening of the heart muscle, reduced pumping efficiency, or h…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Hypertensive Heart Disease?
- Possible VA ratings for Hypertensive Heart Disease are 100%, 60%, 30%, 10%. Examples: 100%: Heart failure symptoms appear at the lowest workload the schedule measures — 3.0 METs or less.; 60%: Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 3.1 and 5.0 METs.; 30%: Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload betwee…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Hypertensive Heart Disease?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Hypertensive Heart Disease at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 38,000 veterans are service-connected for Hypertensive Heart Disease. Estimated approval outlook: High – common if cardiac tests and blood pressure history available.
- What evidence helps prove Hypertensive Heart Disease for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Hypertensive Heart Disease claim includes: An echocardiogram showing the heart's structure and function.; Stress test results establishing your METs capacity.; A medication history showing ongoing treatment for both hypertension and cardiac symptoms..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Hypertensive Heart Disease?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Hypertensive Heart Disease: Not including diagnostic imaging (echocardiogram) that shows the actual cardiac impact of the hypertension.; Listing only high blood pressure readings without evidence of actual heart disease, since this code rates the cardiac damage, not hypertension alone..
- Is Hypertensive Heart Disease a presumptive condition for VA benefits?
- Yes, Hypertensive Heart Disease is recognized as a presumptive condition. Presumptive for herbicide-exposed veterans
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Hypertensive Heart Disease?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Hypertensive Heart Disease include: Chronic Fatigue, Arrhythmia. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.104 — Schedule of ratings — cardiovascular system (Diagnostic Code 7007)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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