VA Rating for Hypertension: 10% to 60% Criteria and 2026 Pay
VA rates hypertension under diagnostic code (DC) 7101 in 38 CFR § 4.104. The schedule has 4 levels: 10%, 20%, 40% and 60%. The table below quotes each level word for word from the current CFR text and adds a one-line summary; the 2026 monthly compensation figures that follow are VA's published rates.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Criteria checked against the eCFR and Federal Register October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Hypertension rating criteria in 38 CFR § 4.104
Diagnostic code: DC 7101 Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension). Criteria are quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary and is not part of the regulation.
| Rating | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or; minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control | Diastolic predominantly 100 or more, or systolic predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic 100 or more that requires continuous medication. |
| 20% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more | Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. |
| 40% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more | Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more. |
| 60% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more | Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more. |
All 3 notes printed with these criteria (quotation):
Note (1): Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. For purposes of this section, the term hypertension means that the diastolic blood pressure is predominantly 90mm. or greater, and isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood pressure is predominantly 160mm. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm.
Note (2): Evaluate hypertension due to aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism, which is usually the isolated systolic type, as part of the condition causing it rather than by a separate evaluation.
Note (3): Evaluate hypertension separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease.
2026 VA monthly pay at each hypertension rating
| Rating | Veteran alone | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 20% | $356.66 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 |
VA does not add ratings together. When a veteran has more than one rated condition, VA combines them with its combined ratings table (38 CFR § 4.25), so the amounts above apply to a combined rating, not to this condition alone. Work out a combined rating with the VA disability calculator at /va-disability-calculator/.
VA disability calculator · Full VA disability pay chart with children and parents
How the criteria are written
Note (1) under DC 7101 says hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days, and defines hypertension as a diastolic pressure predominantly 90 mm or greater.
The 10% level also covers a minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control.
Note (3) says to evaluate hypertension separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease. The criteria turn on readings, so the figures that count are the ones VA finds in the evidence for the claim.
VA publishes Disability Benefits Questionnaires for this area (benefits.va.gov): Hypertension DBQ.
Is this the current rule?
Source text. § 4.104 Schedule of ratings—cardiovascular system. from the eCFR (38 CFR Part 4), text up to date as of October 22, 2026, retrieved October 26, 2026. Read the section on eCFR.
Latest final rule affecting the section. 86 FR 62095 (final rule), Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Cardiovascular System (correction to 86 FR 54089), published November 9, 2021, effective November 14, 2021. Latest entry in the section's amendment history in the eCFR.
Rule that set these criteria. 62 FR 65207, effective January 12, 1998. The 1997 cardiovascular final rule set these criteria; CFR Appendix A dates the change January 12, 1998.
- DC 7101: Criterion September 1, 1960; criterion September 9, 1975; criterion January 12, 1998.
Upcoming changes. Our Federal Register search on October 26, 2026 found no final rule for this section with an effective date after that day.
Proposed rules. The search found no proposed rule that would change these criteria.
Related conditions
- Asthma: Also rated on measured values: lung function test results for asthma (DC 6602) instead of blood pressure readings.
- All VA disability ratings by condition
Questions about the Hypertension rating
What diagnostic code does VA use for hypertension?
Hypertension is rated under diagnostic code (DC) 7101 in 38 CFR § 4.104, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The code lists are quoted from the eCFR text current as of October 22, 2026.
What are the VA rating levels for hypertension?
The schedule has 4 levels for hypertension: 10%, 20%, 40% and 60%. Each level has its own criteria, quoted in the table on this page. VA decides which level applies to a claim.
How much is VA disability pay for a hypertension rating in 2026?
VA's 2026 monthly rates for a veteran alone, with the with-spouse amount for 30% and higher, are 10%: $180.42; 20%: $356.66; 40%: $795.84 ($882.84 with a spouse); 60%: $1,435.02 ($1,566.02 with a spouse). Rates took effect December 1, 2025. The amount you are paid depends on your combined rating, not on this condition alone.
Are ratings for hypertension added to my other ratings?
No. VA does not add ratings together; it combines them using the combined ratings table in 38 CFR § 4.25. Use the VA disability calculator on this site at /va-disability-calculator/ to see how ratings combine.
How does VA define hypertension for rating purposes?
Note (1) under DC 7101 says hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days, and that for rating purposes hypertension means a diastolic blood pressure predominantly 90 mm or greater. Isolated systolic hypertension means a systolic pressure predominantly 160 mm or greater with a diastolic pressure of less than 90 mm.
Is hypertension on medication rated at 10%?
DC 7101 lists, at 10%, a minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control. Other 10% criteria are diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.
Does this page decide my VA rating?
No. FedRateCalc is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This page quotes the rating schedule and VA's published rates for information only; it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides the rating and the payment.