Veteran Hypertension and Service Connection

4-26-2025

By Dr. Howard Friedman, MD | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps | Internal Medicine | HHOM LLC

Understanding the link between military service and hypertension: How veterans can establish a service connection for VA disability benefits.

Some wounds are loud, but some are slow,

A silent surge no scans will show.

A heart that marched through fire and dust,

Now beats with strain, not strength or trust.

Yet in that thrum, a truth remains—

Service leaves more than battle stains.

---Dr. Howard Friedman MD

Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, is one of the most significant yet often overlooked threats to the long-term health of our veterans. This reflection was prompted by a recent article in the Journal of Hypertension titled The Prevalence and Treatment of Hypertension in the Veteran Health Administration: Assessing the Impact of Updated Clinical Guidance.

Before we look at the specifics of veterans, it is worth revisiting the fundamentals of hypertension. Our bodies run on a vascular system—arteries, veins, and capillaries—that circulates blood, delivers oxygen to every tissue, and removes waste products like carbon dioxide. The heart, a remarkable pump, squeezes blood into the arteries with each beat. Arteries are designed to be pliable, expanding when the heart pumps (the systolic pressure) and relaxing afterward (the diastolic pressure).

However, when the opening pressure—the systolic reading—is consistently high, it strains these arteries. They stiffen, losing their elasticity. As the vessel walls harden, they carry less blood. Less blood means less oxygen to critical organs, setting the stage for a cascade of injuries. It isn’t just about the heart or the brain; it is systemic. Hypertension stresses the entire body, and chronic stress at the cellular level is a foundation for inflammation—the quiet architect behind many of the diseases we face today, from heart attacks to strokes to kidney failure.

Nowhere is this more critical to recognize than in our veteran community.

Veterans have been standing on the line for this country since the birth of the nation. Their sacrifices are written in every freedom we enjoy. But when it comes to health, the burden they carry does not end when they take off the uniform. The rigors of military life—unpredictable sleep patterns, extreme physical and mental demands, environmental exposures to toxins, combat injuries, and the invisible wounds of PTSD—all combine to erode the body’s ability to maintain health.

Hypertension among veterans is not merely an unfortunate coincidence. It is often the natural consequence of the pressures they have endured. PTSD alone has been strongly associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. Add to that exposure to burn pits, solvents, fuels, and other toxins encountered in various conflicts, and it is no wonder that hypertension rates within the Veteran Health Administration are alarmingly high.

Many veterans who come to HHOM LLC have lived with high blood pressure for years without fully understanding that their service played a direct role in its development. Worse, the healthcare system has not always been quick to acknowledge or connect the dots for them. That is why part of our mission is not only to provide expert medical evaluations but also to advocate fiercely for the recognition these men and women deserve.

It is critical that hypertension in veterans be properly evaluated, documented, and, when appropriate, service connected. A well-supported medical opinion can make all the difference between a denied claim and a path to the benefits a veteran has earned—benefits that can cover essential treatments, medications, and life-saving preventative care.

At HHOM LLC, we recognize the sacrifices of every veteran. We honor them not just in words, but in action—by standing beside them, making sure their stories are heard, their injuries recognized, and their needs met. If you or someone you know is a veteran living with hypertension, know that you are not alone. Your service matters. Your health matters. And we are here to help ensure that you receive every benefit you have rightfully earned.

—Dr. Howard Friedman, MD

Board-Certified | Internal Medicine | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps

Founder of Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC)

https://www.hhomllc.com

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: Why are veterans at higher risk for developing hypertension?

Answer: Veterans are frequently exposed to chronic stress, disrupted sleep, intense physical and mental demands, and environmental toxins during service. These factors—combined with conditions like PTSD—can increase the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, often years after leaving active duty.

Question: Can hypertension be service connected for VA disability benefits?

Answer: Yes. If a veteran’s hypertension is linked to military service or a service-connected condition like PTSD or sleep apnea, it may qualify for VA disability compensation. In some cases—such as Agent Orange or burn pit exposure—hypertension is considered a presumptive condition.

Question: How does HHOM LLC help veterans with hypertension claims?

Answer: HHOM LLC prepares detailed, evidence-based Nexus Letters connecting hypertension to military service or related conditions. Dr. Howard Friedman uses his experience as an internal medicine physician and former VA doctor to advocate for veterans with clarity, compassion, and clinical precision.