{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hypertension","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:30:08.637Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Hypertension","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":53517,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17.6,"denied_pct":32.1,"remanded_pct":49.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":35.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":3941,"granted_pct":7.9,"denied_pct":39.3,"remanded_pct":46.5},{"year":2018,"issues":6350,"granted_pct":9.9,"denied_pct":38.4,"remanded_pct":48.5},{"year":2019,"issues":6647,"granted_pct":10.9,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":54.6},{"year":2020,"issues":6503,"granted_pct":11.4,"denied_pct":33,"remanded_pct":53.6},{"year":2021,"issues":5904,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":54.7},{"year":2022,"issues":5814,"granted_pct":21.2,"denied_pct":23.4,"remanded_pct":53.2},{"year":2023,"issues":6063,"granted_pct":27.5,"denied_pct":25.1,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2024,"issues":5731,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2025,"issues":5940,"granted_pct":22.6,"denied_pct":35.6,"remanded_pct":40.4},{"year":2026,"issues":2301,"granted_pct":25.3,"denied_pct":32.5,"remanded_pct":40.9}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":68.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":6230,"granted_pct_with":58.7,"granted_pct_without":31.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":38135,"granted_pct_with":32,"granted_pct_without":47.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":8385,"granted_pct_with":64.7,"granted_pct_without":28.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":26634,"granted_pct_with":32.1,"granted_pct_without":38.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":16092,"granted_pct_with":42.9,"granted_pct_without":31.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":2678,"granted_pct_with":50.8,"granted_pct_without":34.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":39438,"granted_pct_with":31,"granted_pct_without":49.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":1343,"granted_pct_with":47.8,"granted_pct_without":35.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":3591,"granted_pct_with":47.9,"granted_pct_without":34.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":1305},{"reason":"requires continuous medication for control","decisions":321},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":306},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":211},{"reason":"history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more","decisions":192},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":164}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":2028},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":1868},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":1656},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":1192},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":836},{"reason":"no continuity of symptomatology","decisions":608}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040461","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"Veteran presumed exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam; Veteran has diagnosis of hypertension; PACT Act includes hypertension as disease with positive association to herbicide exposure"},{"case_id":"A26040478","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"Favorable finding of current heart condition; Service-connected hypertension established; Prohibitive VA opinion linking hypertension to atrial fibrillation"},{"case_id":"A26040644","year":2026,"judge":"SHEREEN M. MARCUS","rationale":"Mild left ventricular hypertrophy found on Feb 10, 2021 echocardiogram.; Met criteria for 30% rating under DC 7005.; Benefit of doubt applied due to approximate balance of evidence."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005096","year":2026,"judge":"S. HENEKS","rationale":"No evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation; No nexus to service or claimed exposures; Hypertension did not originate in service, within a year of service, or is not otherwise etiologically related to active service"},{"case_id":"26005112","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"Hypertension claimed secondary to diabetes mellitus, which was not service-connected.; Condition did not onset during service or within one year of separation.; No continuity of symptoms from service to diagnosis."},{"case_id":"A26040451","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Blood pressure readings do not meet criteria for higher ratings; Not on continuous medication for hypertension; No diastolic pressure of 100 or more recorded"}]},"how_va_rates":{"citation":"38 CFR 4.104","diagnostic_code":"7101","name":"Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension)","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104","levels":[{"criteria":"Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more","rating":60},{"criteria":"Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more","rating":40},{"criteria":"Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more","rating":20},{"criteria":"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","rating":10}],"notes":["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."]},"rules":[{"citation":"38 CFR 4.104","title":"Schedule of ratings: cardiovascular system","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.5.3","title":"Hypertension: definitions, blood pressure readings required, predominant blood pressure","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014520/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-5-Cardiovascular-System-Conditions"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.11.2.e","title":"When hypertension is or is not a complication of diabetes","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180518/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-11-Endocrine-Conditions"}]}}