Do you need a nexus letter for hypertension secondary to an already service connected PTSD or another mental health disorder? Dr. Finnerty can help by reviewing your medical records and reviewing the scientific evidence. There is a significant relationship between PTSD,
sleep apnea and hypertension. The medical evidence and research literature supports that it’s at least likely as not (a 50 percent chance or greater) that the Veteran’s hypertension is both due to and substantially aggravated by the psychiatric difficulties from his military service. The supporting medical literature includes: [see Howard JT, Sosnov JA, Janak JC, Gundlapalli AV, Pettey WB, Walker LE, Stewart IJ,
Associations of initial injury severity and posttraumatic stress disorder diagnoses with long-term hypertension risk after combat injury. Hypertension. 2018; 71:824–832] Howard et. al. propose a model for explaining how traumatic events may generate the development of hypertension or other cardiovascular complications. Along the same lines, Alexandre Persu, Géraldine Petit, Coralie Georges, and Philippe de Timary (2018) [see
Hypertension, a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? Time to Widen Our Perspective. Hypertension. 2018; 71: 811–812] emphasize the concept that inflammatory/metabolic, mental health and behavioral pathways underlying the relation between exposure to a physical (or psychological) injury and subsequent development of hypertension (and possibly hypertension resistance) are probably deeply intertwined. They note that in particular, it
has been firmly established that both stress and body immune and inflammation-related mechanisms play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. Interestingly, exposure to major trauma, such as personal maltreatment or violence, has been found to increase the risk for mental health disorders, and as suggested by Howard et al, this link is mediated by an activation of the immune system. Finally, an
additional physiological dimension would be a stimulation of the sympathetic and renin–angiotensin systems, which may also participate in the development of hypertension, in parallel to the stress and inflammatory systems, and may orient the choice of antihypertensive treatments. They note a significant correlation between the chronicity of PTSD (present in a huge proportion of 42% of subjects) and subsequent development of high blood pressure. Matthew M. Burg, PhD, Cynthia Brandt, MD, Eugenia
Buta, PhD, Joseph Schwartz, ScD, Harini Bathulapalli, MPH, James Dziura, PhD, Donald E. Edmondson, PhD, and Sally Haskell, MD (2017) [see Risk for Incident Hypertension Associated with PTSD in Military Veterans, and The Effect of PTSD Treatment. Psychosom Med. 2017 Feb-Mar; 79(2): 181–188] note that PTSD increases cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality risk. “In the current study, we observed an overall
hypertension incidence over a median 2.4-year follow-up that ranged from 10% to 45%, depending on how hypertension was defined, all in a young sample (average age of 27.9 years, IQR of 24.4–37.6 years). This incidence in a young group of individuals, observed soon after separation from military service is alarming, occurring much earlier than typically observed in the general US population or western societies…” “We observed a 24%–46% greater risk for incident hypertension associated with
untreated PTSD in a large, nationally representative sample of almost 200,000 Veterans of OIF/OEF/OND military conflicts.” Feel free to reach out to Dr. Finnerty by filling out the form at this link: Free Consultation – Nexus Letters from a Psychologist If you are a military veteran who has been diagnosed with service-connected high blood pressure, then you likely qualify for VA disability benefits. Under the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021, service members who developed hypertension after being deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, or other combat zones are automatically eligible for VA health care and disability benefits without proving a connection between military service and their illness. Veterans who develop hypertension within a year of being discharged from the service are presumed to have a service-connected disability that qualifies them for benefits, particularly if they take medicine to control their blood pressure. If you are a U.S. military service veteran with a diagnosis of hypertension who is not receiving VA benefits you believe you are due, The Disability Law Group of Michigan can assist you. Our experienced disability benefits attorneys serve veterans and their families in Macomb County, Wayne County, and Oakland County. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you. What Is Hypertension and Its Symptoms?Hypertension is known as a silent killer because most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms. Hypertension can cause serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, hypertension can be controlled with a healthy diet, exercise, and medication. A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, the Mayo Clinic says. But such symptoms usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage. High blood pressure is typically diagnosed when a nurse takes your blood pressure during a routine checkup, and it persists over time. Blood pressure is a measurement of both the amount of blood your heart pumps when it beats (systolic pressure) and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries between beats (diastolic pressure).
According to the Federal Schedule for Rating Disabilities – Cardiovascular System – a portion of the VA Disability Ratings schedule – hypertension means that the diastolic blood pressure is 90 or greater in most measurements. Isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood pressure is predominantly 160 or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90. Can You Get VA Disability for Hypertension?If you are a veteran with a diagnosis of hypertension for which you are prescribed medication, you may be eligible for VA benefits. To establish eligibility for VA disability benefits, a veteran must meet two criteria:
With the adoption of the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021, a veteran with a diagnosis of hypertension need only prove service in a specific combat zone, including service in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Vietnam, to establish a presumptive service connection to their hypertension. A diagnosis of hypertension within one year of release from active duty also qualifies a veteran for a presumptive service connection. How Does The VA Rate Hypertension?When a veteran applies for VA disability benefits, the VA assesses their medical condition and assigns a rating based on the severity of the veteran’s condition. VA Disability Ratings, which are expressed in 10-percent increments from 0% to 100%, determine the amount of VA benefits a veteran receives. According to the VA Disability Ratings schedule, a veteran is rated as 10% disabled if they have: Diastolic pressure that is predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. Further, the schedule says:
For 2022, the monthly benefit for a 10% disability rating was set as $152.64. It was $301.74 for a 20% disability rating. The benefit for a 10% to 20% disability rating does not increase because of a dependent spouse, child, or parent For disability ratings of 30% or higher, VA disability payments increase if a veteran has a dependent spouse, child, or parent. Without dependents in 2022, a disabled veteran is eligible to receive:
With a spouse only, for example, the benefit for a 30% disability rating increases to $522.39. Contact Our Michigan VA Attorneys About a Disability Hypertension ClaimIf you or a loved one has been diagnosed with high blood pressure that is connected to military service, we can help you ensure that you receive the full government benefit promised for your service to our nation. The experienced attorneys of Disability Law Group are knowledgeable about VA disability benefits and are ready to help you pursue benefits that will help to ensure your and your family’s financial security. Please contact us by phone or email or fill out one of the contact forms on our website, so we can get started assisting you and your family. What is the VA rating for hypertension secondary to PTSD?The rating criteria is as follows: 60% – diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more. 40% –diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more. 20% –diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.
Can high blood pressure be related to PTSD?Hyperarousal is a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD has been associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in veteran populations.
What VA conditions are secondary to hypertension?There are several VA secondary conditions commonly associated with hypertension, including ischemic heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.
What VA disabilities are secondary to PTSD?Examples of Conditions Secondary to PTSD. Sleep Apnea.. Hypertension.. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Migraines.. Erectile Dysfunction.. |
Va disability for high blood pressure secondary to ptsd
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