Reference: 38 CFR 4.104

Hypertension: Rating Criteria

The published percentage tiers and what separates them

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Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

0%

Next: 10%

The 0% pathway describes confirmed hypertension where current diastolic and systolic readings are both below the compensable thresholds, and there is no documented history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication.

What separates the next level: The 10% level is reached either by a current diastolic reading predominantly 100 or more, a current systolic reading predominantly 160 or more, or a documented history of diastolic pressure 100 or more that requires continuous medication.

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Official CFR language
DC 7101 lists no separate 0% row; RatingScope uses this pathway when confirmed hypertension does not meet any listed compensable tier.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm hypertension by readings on three or more different days, and both current diastolic and systolic bands should be documented as below the 10% thresholds, with no qualifying minimum-evaluation history.
Examples
Confirmed hypertension with diastolic predominantly in the 90s and systolic predominantly in the 140s.; No documented history of diastolic pressure 100 or more requiring continuous medication.; Enough information is available to confirm both readings are below threshold, rather than simply missing.
Medical evidence
Blood pressure log with dated readings; Hypertension DBQ current-readings section; Treatment records confirming diagnosis
Functional impact examples
The record documents confirmed hypertension without a compensable current reading or qualifying history.; A controlled reading can still be medically important even when it does not match a compensable DC 7101 description.
Common misconceptions
A 0% pathway does not mean hypertension is imaginary or unimportant.; Missing reading details should not be treated as proof of a below-threshold result.; A hypertension diagnosis alone does not establish a compensable percentage without confirmed readings.
Related topics
confirmed readings; diastolic band; systolic band; missing detail
Source context
38 CFR 4.104; 7101; Current DC 7101 educational pathway.

10%

Next: 20%

The 10% level is reached by a current diastolic reading predominantly 100 or more, a current systolic reading predominantly 160 or more, or the minimum-evaluation pathway: a documented history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more that requires continuous medication for control, even when current readings are now lower.

What separates the next level: The 20% level requires a current diastolic reading predominantly 110 or more, or a current systolic reading predominantly 200 or more. The minimum-evaluation pathway does not extend to the 20% tier or higher.

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Official CFR language
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.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm hypertension and document either a qualifying current reading, or both a history of diastolic pressure 100 or more and a continuous-medication requirement together. Neither history nor medication alone establishes the minimum-evaluation pathway.
Examples
A current diastolic reading predominantly 100 to 109.; A current systolic reading predominantly 160 to 199 with diastolic below 100 (isolated systolic hypertension).; Current readings are now controlled and below threshold, but records document both a history of diastolic 100 or more and a continuous-medication requirement.
Medical evidence
Blood pressure log with dated readings; Hypertension DBQ; Medication history documenting continuous antihypertensive treatment; Treatment records documenting a prior diastolic reading history
Functional impact examples
A current reading independently meets the 10% threshold.; A controlled current reading still qualifies because the record documents both required minimum-evaluation facts together.
Common misconceptions
A history of elevated diastolic pressure alone, without a documented continuous-medication requirement, does not establish the minimum-evaluation pathway.; A continuous-medication requirement alone, without a documented history of diastolic pressure 100 or more, does not establish the minimum-evaluation pathway.; Controlled or well-managed hypertension is not automatically 0%: the minimum-evaluation pathway exists precisely for this situation.
Related topics
minimum evaluation; isolated systolic hypertension; continuous medication; diastolic history
Source context
38 CFR 4.104; 7101; Current DC 7101 educational pathway.

20%

Next: 40%

The 20% level is reached by a current diastolic reading predominantly 110 or more, or a current systolic reading predominantly 200 or more.

What separates the next level: The 40% level moves the diastolic threshold to 120 or more; there is no separate systolic alternative at the 40% tier or above.

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Official CFR language
Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm hypertension and document either the diastolic or systolic threshold at this tier. Either finding alone is sufficient; both are not required together.
Examples
A current diastolic reading predominantly 110 to 119.; A current systolic reading predominantly 200 or more with diastolic below 100.; Confirmed readings on three or more different days support either threshold.
Medical evidence
Blood pressure log with dated readings; Hypertension DBQ; Treatment records documenting the reading pattern
Functional impact examples
A sustained diastolic or systolic elevation is documented across multiple confirmed readings.
Common misconceptions
A single elevated reading, even at this level, is not sufficient without confirmation on three or more different days.; The systolic alternative only applies at the 20% and 10% tiers, not at 40% or 60%.
Related topics
confirmed readings; diastolic band; systolic band
Source context
38 CFR 4.104; 7101; Current DC 7101 educational pathway.

40%

Next: 60%

The 40% level is reached by a current diastolic reading predominantly 120 or more. There is no systolic alternative at this tier.

What separates the next level: The 60% level moves the diastolic threshold to 130 or more.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm hypertension and document the diastolic threshold specifically; a high systolic reading alone does not reach this tier.
Examples
A current diastolic reading predominantly 120 to 129, confirmed on three or more different days.
Medical evidence
Blood pressure log with dated readings; Hypertension DBQ; Treatment records documenting the reading pattern
Functional impact examples
A sustained diastolic elevation at this level is documented across multiple confirmed readings.
Common misconceptions
A high systolic reading does not substitute for the diastolic threshold at the 40% and 60% tiers.; Occasional spikes on a single day do not establish a predominant reading.
Related topics
confirmed readings; diastolic band
Source context
38 CFR 4.104; 7101; Current DC 7101 educational pathway.

60%

Highest listed pathway

The 60% level is reached by a current diastolic reading predominantly 130 or more. This is the highest listed DC 7101 schedular percentage.

What separates the next level: This is the highest listed DC 7101 percentage; there is no higher schedular tier under this diagnostic code.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm hypertension and document a diastolic reading at or above this threshold on multiple confirmed occasions.
Examples
A current diastolic reading predominantly 130 or more, confirmed on three or more different days.
Medical evidence
Blood pressure log with dated readings; Hypertension DBQ; Treatment records documenting the reading pattern
Functional impact examples
A sustained, severely elevated diastolic reading is documented across multiple confirmed readings.
Common misconceptions
A single severe reading, even at this level, is not sufficient without confirmation on three or more different days.; Note (2)'s causation exception may apply and route to a different schedule entirely. See the causation-exception question below.
Related topics
confirmed readings; diastolic band; causation exception
Source context
38 CFR 4.104; 7101; Current DC 7101 educational pathway and highest listed schedular percentage.
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