Pulmonary Hypertension
High blood pressure in pulmonary arteries. Often secondary to sleep apnea, COPD, or autoimmune.
Often claimed secondary to
If you're already service-connected for any of these, Pulmonary Hypertension is often a viable secondary claim.
Sleep Apnea (Obstructive/Central/Mixed)
Apneic episodes during sleep. CPAP-required = 50% rating (current rule; proposed changes have not been finalized). Hard to win directly post-service — much easier as secondary.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
PACT Act presumptive. Rated by PFTs.
Interstitial Lung Disease
PACT Act presumptive. Multiple subtypes (pulmonary fibrosis, etc.).
Filing this claim
For most veterans this is filed as a secondary claim. You need a nexus letter linking it to a service-connected primary condition. Use the letter generators to draft your nexus letter and Statement in Support of Claim.
Step by step
- File an Intent to File (Form 21-0966) to lock your effective date.
- Confirm you have a current medical diagnosis in a medical record.
- Get a nexus letter — magic phrase: "at least as likely as not."
- Write a Statement in Support of Claim (21-4138).
- If applicable, gather buddy statements (21-10210).
- File the formal 21-526EZ.
Source: 38 CFR §4.104. For exact regulatory language, consult eCFR Title 38. This is general education — for your specific case, consult a VA-accredited representative.