---
title: "DC 7101 - Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension)"
diagnostic_code: "7101"
body_system: "Cardiovascular System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.104"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/cardiovascular/7101-hypertension"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"
updated: "2026-07-21T04:00:48.240068Z"
---

# DC 7101 - Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension)

Rated under § 4.104. Body system: Cardiovascular System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 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 |
| 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 |

## 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.

# VA Disability Ratings for Hypertension (Diagnostic Code 7101)

## Understanding Hypertensive Vascular Disease

**Diagnostic Code 7101** covers hypertensive vascular disease, which includes hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension. It falls under the **Cardiovascular System** and is rated under **38 CFR § 4.104**.

In plain terms, this condition relates to high blood pressure. The VA uses specific measurements to define it:

- **Hypertension** means the *diastolic* blood pressure (the bottom number) is predominantly **90mm or greater**.
- **Isolated systolic hypertension** means the *systolic* blood pressure (the top number) is predominantly **160mm or greater**, with a diastolic pressure of less than 90mm.

To confirm the condition, the VA requires blood pressure readings taken **two or more times on at least three different days**.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability percentage based on blood pressure readings. Here are the rating levels for Diagnostic Code 7101:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **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 |
| **10%** | Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, **or** systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, **or** the minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating hypertension, the VA focuses on:

- **Confirmed blood pressure readings** — taken two or more times on at least three different days.
- **Which numbers are predominantly elevated** — diastolic (bottom number), systolic (top number), or both — since the rating levels are tied to these specific measurements.
- **A history of elevated diastolic pressure requiring continuous medication** — an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control may qualify for the minimum 10% evaluation.

## Important Notes on How Hypertension Is Evaluated

- **Related to another condition:** Hypertension caused by aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism — which is usually the isolated systolic type — is evaluated as part of the condition causing it, rather than by a separate evaluation.
- **Separate from heart disease:** Hypertension is evaluated separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104