Hypertension

Atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease - Hypertension Factor

Hypertension

Definition

Hypertension is high blood pressure.  Hypertension was also sometimes called hyperpiesia or hyperpiesis up until the 1950's.  Blood pressure is usually recorded as two figures - the top figure records the systolic pressure and the lower figure records the diastolic pressure (eg 130/80 records a systolic pressure of 130 and a diastolic pressure of 80).

RMA definition of hypertension

Note:  The definition means that hypertension cannot be diagnosed on the basis of one elevated blood pressure reading.  There must be a number of high readings.  When treatment is given, blood pressure readings may return to normal.  However, a person with 'normal' blood pressure readings can still be suffering from hypertension if he or she is undergoing treatment for hypertension.

Establishing the onset of hypertension

This disease is significant and, if it has been detected, it will have been documented by a medical officer.  However, doctors' notes and hospitals' records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained.  If this is the case, the person's statement that hypertension was detected at a particular time should generally be accepted, However, if these records cannot be obtained, a reliable history of hypertension at a particular time will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Obtain medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to hypertension rather than to some other condition.

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 20 DECEMBER 2002.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [9249]

317       the veteran has hypertension.

9308     the veteran has established the causal connection between the hypertension and VEA service for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

9311     the veteran suffered from hypertension before the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body.

9309     the veteran has established the causal connection between the hypertension and VEA service for the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

9313     the veteran has established the causal connection between the hypertension and operational service for the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

or

9314     the veteran has established the causal connection between the hypertension and eligible service for the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

9312     the veteran suffered from hypertension before the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body.

9310     the veteran has established the causal connection between the hypertension and VEA service for the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

9315     the veteran has established the causal connection between the hypertension and operational service for the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

or

9316     the veteran has established the causal connection between the hypertension and eligible service for the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [9313]

334        the hypertension is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [9314]

934        the hypertension is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [9315]

334        the hypertension is causally related to operational service.

9317     the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the hypertension is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [9316]

934        the hypertension is causally related to eligible service.

9318     the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the hypertension is causally related.