Diagnostic Code 7101: Hypertension Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.104
- Rating range
- 10% to 60%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Cardiovascular system
The VA rates Hypertension under diagnostic code 7101 in 38 CFR § 4.104. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7101 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 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 What raters look fordiastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more; history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and continuous medication required for control |
| 20% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more What raters look fordiastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more |
| 40% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more What raters look fordiastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more |
| 60% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more What raters look fordiastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more |
DC 7101 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 4,555 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7101 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 25.4%, denied 70.0% and sent 4.6% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | 283 | 68.9% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 7101 rulings
Percentages use all 209 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- No exam problem recorded51.7%
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate27.3%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened12.9%
- VA had not given an exam or opinion5.7%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7101 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Hypertension. The Hypertension condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Hypertension appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 27,198 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Hypertension, 2021 to 2026. The Hypertension condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Hypertension appeals generally rather than DC 7101 specifically. The DC 7101 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7101?
Diagnostic code 7101 is the VA rating schedule entry for Hypertension, found in 38 CFR § 4.104. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7101?
DC 7101 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7101 require?
The 60% rating for Hypertension requires: Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7101?
In 4,516 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7101 from 2021 to 2026, 25.0% were granted, 70.4% denied and 4.6% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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