Pulmonary Hypertension

DC 6817Respiratory38 CFR 4.97, DC 6817

High blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs, which makes your heart work harder to pump blood through them. Pulmonary hypertension can be a condition on its own (primary) or caused by another condition like a blood clot, COPD, or sleep apnea. The VA rates it based on your pulmonary artery pressure, exercise ability, and whether you have right heart failure.

Rating Levels

You have right heart failure (cor pulmonale), severe limits on exercise, or you need outpatient oxygen or IV therapy to manage your pulmonary hypertension.

What the VA looks for

Cor pulmonale (right heart failure) documented
Severe exercise limitation or inability to perform daily activities
Outpatient oxygen therapy prescribed
IV prostacyclin or other continuous infusion therapy
Right ventricular hypertrophy confirmed by echocardiogram
Hospitalization for pulmonary hypertension complications

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a right heart catheterization — an echocardiogram can estimate pulmonary artery pressure, but catheterization provides the definitive measurement that the VA uses for rating decisions.
⚠Not connecting pulmonary hypertension to a primary service-connected condition — pulmonary hypertension is often secondary to conditions like pulmonary embolism, COPD, sleep apnea, or sarcoidosis. File it as a secondary claim.
⚠Not documenting exercise limitation — the VA looks at how much your daily activities are affected. Keep a log of what you can and cannot do, and ask your doctor to document your exercise capacity.
⚠Forgetting to report supplemental oxygen use — if you use oxygen at home, this supports a 100% rating. Bring your oxygen prescription to every exam.
⚠Not filing for associated conditions separately — pulmonary hypertension can cause or worsen depression, fatigue, and peripheral edema. File claims for each related condition.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Respiratory Conditions (other than Tuberculosis and Sleep Apnea)
DBQ Heart Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Pulmonary Hypertension

Rating Levels

You have right heart failure (cor pulmonale), severe limits on exercise, or you need outpatient oxygen or IV therapy to manage your pulmonary hypertension.

What the VA looks for

Cor pulmonale (right heart failure) documented
Severe exercise limitation or inability to perform daily activities
Outpatient oxygen therapy prescribed
IV prostacyclin or other continuous infusion therapy
Right ventricular hypertrophy confirmed by echocardiogram
Hospitalization for pulmonary hypertension complications

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a right heart catheterization — an echocardiogram can estimate pulmonary artery pressure, but catheterization provides the definitive measurement that the VA uses for rating decisions.

⚠Not connecting pulmonary hypertension to a primary service-connected condition — pulmonary hypertension is often secondary to conditions like pulmonary embolism, COPD, sleep apnea, or sarcoidosis. File it as a secondary claim.

⚠Not documenting exercise limitation — the VA looks at how much your daily activities are affected. Keep a log of what you can and cannot do, and ask your doctor to document your exercise capacity.

⚠Forgetting to report supplemental oxygen use — if you use oxygen at home, this supports a 100% rating. Bring your oxygen prescription to every exam.

⚠Not filing for associated conditions separately — pulmonary hypertension can cause or worsen depression, fatigue, and peripheral edema. File claims for each related condition.