By Larry Dandridge
This is the final article in a series of two on VA service-connected disability claims for high blood pressure (also called Hypertension).
How to prove service connection
To establish a service connection for hypertension, a veteran must provide the VA with evidence of military service (DD214, other discharge papers, or other proof of service) and evidence linking their condition to service or another service-connected disability. This includes:
- A current medical diagnosis of hypertension in your medical (military, VA, or civilian) records.
- In-Service Event, Injury, Wound, Trauma, Disease, Presumption, or Aggravation. You must provide evidence of an event, injury, wound, trauma, disease, presumption, or aggravation that occurred during your military service that could have caused or worsened your hypertension. This should include documented high blood pressure readings, exposure to hazardous material (Agent Orange, etc.), or stressful/traumatic events during active duty.
- Nexus Between Diagnosis and In-Service Event. Competent medical evidence must establish a nexus (link) between the current diagnosis of high blood pressure and the in-service event, injury, wound, trauma, illness, scar, or disease. This often requires a detailed medical opinion or nexus letter from a healthcare provider (Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant, or other medical specialist) that explains how the veteran’s military service likely caused or aggravated the veteran’s high blood pressure.
Note: If a veteran has been out of the military for more than a year, it is recommended that they obtain a NEXUS letter from a healthcare provider (military, VA, or Civilian) and submit it with their claim. Learn more from a series of articles on “NEXUS Letters” dated May 14, 21, and 28, 2025, in The Island News at https://bit.ly/3IKLRWS.
Use a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to help you file your claim
Use a VA-accredited VSO who is paid to help full-time, like the County and Region VSOs in most states, or the VSOs collocated with a Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) Regional Offices. Learn more about VSOs in a Sept. 5, 2024, The Island News article titled “Things you need to know about Veteran Service Officers” at https://bit.ly/4pSutjS.
Find SC or GA VSOs
Veterans can find SC County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL or https://bit.ly/3KwL6RH and can find Georgia VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7 or https://bit.ly/42WMvY5.
Find VSOs Nationwide and at VBA Regional Offices
Veterans can search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs, Attorneys, and Agents) nationwide at the VA “Accreditation Search” web page at https://bit.ly/3QnCk5M or https://bit.ly/3IGWqdB, and they can search for VA-accredited representatives at VBA Regional Offices at the VA “Accredited Representatives: web page at https://bit.ly/3TahNn1 or https://www.benefits.va.gov/vso/varo.asp
VSOs at the VBA Regional Office in Columbia
Veterans can also search for VA-accredited VSOs at VBA Regional Offices at the “VBA Regional Websites” web page at https://bit.ly/3WQp0e3 or https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp. VSOs co-located in the Columbia, SC Regional Office travel throughout the state to help veterans. Contact information:
- Disabled American Veterans – 803-647-2422.
- American Legion/SCDVA – 803-647-2434.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – 803-647-2443.
- Paralyzed Veterans (PVA) – 803-647-2432.
Some SC VA-accredited VSOs in The Island News footprint
- Beaufort County, Director Caroline Fermin, 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906, 843-255-6880, web page at https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/veterans-affairs/index.html, Email: caroline.fermin@bcgov.net.
- Beaufort DAV Chapter, Chapter Service Officer (Non VA-accredited VSO) Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543, mlv1030@gmail.com.
- Jasper County, Alton Jenkins, 651 Grays Highway, Ridgeland, S.C. 29936, Phone: 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov.
- Hampton County, Daryl Harris, B. T. Deloach Building, 201 Jackson Avenue, West, Hampton, S.C. 29924, 803-914-2085, dharris@hamptoncountysc.org.
- Colleton County, Janet Smith, 219 S. Lemacks Street, Suite 124, Walterboro, S.C. 29488, 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org.
Some Georgia VSOs in The Island News footprint
- Chatham County, Ga., Manager Miguel Rivera (Bi-Lingual), 912-920-0214, Ext. 2412191, Miguel.rivera5@va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga., 31419. VSO Sheri Shellman, 912-920-0214, Ext. 412194, and VSO Robert Jones, 912-920-0214, Ext. 412193. Located in the Savannah VA Outpatient Clinic.
- Liberty County & Hinesville, Ga., Shannon Daniels, 912-408-2948, shannon.daniels@vs.state.ga.us, and Dennis Boothe, 912-408-2900, Ext. 352750, dennis.boothe@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga., 31313. Located inside the Hinesville, VA Outpatient Clinic.
Veteran Service Organizations with VSOs
There are 38 Veterans Service Organizations (VVA, DAV, VFW, AL, etc.) with VSO Programs listed on Page 3 of VA Form 21-22, which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs recognizes.
Ways to manage high blood pressure without medication, according to the Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic’s article titled “10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication” at https://bit.ly/4nqUzZk states, “By making these lifestyle changes, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.”
· Lose extra weight and watch your waistline. Exercise regularly/ eat a healthy diet.
· Reduce your salt and sodium intake, limit alcohol consumption, and quit smoking.
· Get a good night’s sleep, ease stress, control your cholesterol and blood sugar, frequently track your blood pressure at home, and get regular medical checkups.
Common VA Secondary Conditions to High Blood Pressure
Veterans should not forget that their service-connected high blood pressure condition can also cause other health problems, called Secondary Conditions. Some (but not all) of the common VA conditions secondary to hypertension include:
- Stroke, Heart Disease, Aneurysm, Angina, Kidney Disease, Peripheral Artery Disease, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Microvascular Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Cognitive Impairment, and …
- Erectile Dysfunction, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Mood Disorders (Anxiety-Depression-Bipolar-etc.), Metabolic Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, Gout, and Retinopathy.
Ask VA
Veterans can get information about VA benefits or file a claim for benefits by visiting the VA website www.va.gov and by asking a VA-accredited VSO for help. Veterans with claims-specific or other questions may request information via “Ask.VA.gov” at https://www.va.gov/contact-us/ask-va/introduction or by telephoning 1-800-827-1000.
The bottom line
High blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Veterans (and anyone) with high blood pressure need to seek medical care if they have high blood pressure. Only a doctor or other qualified medical professional can confirm a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
If you are an eligible veteran and have a service-connected disability of high blood pressure or a secondary blood pressure-caused or worsened condition, you should ask a VA-accredited VSO to help you file a claim for service-connected disability compensation and help you enroll in VA healthcare.
Military members and veterans should monitor their blood pressure. To prevent high blood pressure, it is essential to follow your doctor’s advice, maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced and healthy diet, avoid highly processed foods, exercise regularly, limit sodium and potassium intake, refrain from using tobacco products, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and monitor your blood pressure regularly.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is also the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him atLDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
