What can I claim secondary to hypertension?
25 conditions in the Repatriation Medical Authority's Statements of Principles list hypertension as a factor. If DVA has accepted your hypertension, each of these has a documented pathway to a further claim.
At a glance
- Accepted conditionHypertension
- Conditions it may open25
- SourceRMA SoPs
- Chart Review$600 + GST
How a secondary claim works
Some Statement of Principles factors are not about service at all — they name another condition. Where DVA has already accepted your hypertension, and another condition's SoP lists hypertension as a factor, that part of the next claim is already established on your file. How a secondary claim works, in full →
Conditions that list hypertension as a factor
Quoted from the instrument. A pathway existing is not the same as a claim succeeding — each factor carries thresholds your record has to satisfy.
Alzheimer disease
RH No. 33 of 2019 · BoP No. 34 of 2019
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (8): “having hypertension at least ten years before the clinical onset of Alzheimer disease” [clinical onset]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Aortic aneurysm and aortic wall disorders
RH No. 21 of 2021 · BoP No. 22 of 2021
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of aortic aneurysm or an aortic wall disorder” [clinical onset] — factor (19): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of aortic aneurysm or an aortic wall disorder” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of aortic aneurysm or an aortic wall disorder” [clinical onset] — factor (16): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of aortic aneurysm or an aortic wall disorder” [worsening]
Aortic stenosis
RH No. 13 of 2022 · BoP No. 14 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (4): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of aortic stenosis” [clinical onset] — factor (16): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of aortic stenosis” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (4): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of aortic stenosis” [clinical onset] — factor (14): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of aortic stenosis” [worsening]
Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter
RH No. 1 of 2023 · BoP No. 2 of 2023
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (9): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter” [clinical onset] — factor (53): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (9): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter” [clinical onset] — factor (46): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter” [worsening]
Cardiomyopathy
RH No. 57 of 2024 · BoP No. 58 of 2024
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (30): “having hypertension for at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of hypertensive cardiomyopathy, or at the time of the clinical worsening of hypertensive cardiomyopathy” [onset and worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (27): “having hypertension for at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of hypertensive cardiomyopathy, or at the time of the clinical worsening of hypertensive cardiomyopathy” [onset and worsening]
Carotid artery disease
RH No. 54 of 2020 · BoP No. 55 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of carotid artery disease” [clinical onset] — factor (26): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of carotid artery disease” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of carotid artery disease” [clinical onset] — factor (20): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of carotid artery disease” [worsening]
Central serous chorioretinopathy
RH No. 45 of 2018 · BoP No. 46 of 2018
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (7): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of central serous chorioretinopathy” [clinical onset] — factor (16): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical worsening of central serous chorioretinopathy” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
RH No. 45 of 2024 · BoP No. 46 of 2024
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension within the 10 years before clinical onset” [clinical onset]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension within the 5 years before clinical onset” [clinical onset]
Erectile dysfunction
RH No. 72 of 2022 · BoP No. 73 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (10): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of erectile dysfunction” [clinical onset] — factor (35): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical worsening of erectile dysfunction” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (10): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of erectile dysfunction” [clinical onset] — factor (32): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical worsening of erectile dysfunction” [worsening]
Gout
RH No. 59 of 2019 · BoP No. 60 of 2019
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (22): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of gout” [clinical onset] — factor (47): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of gout” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Heart block
RH No. 23 of 2022 · BoP No. 24 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (26): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of heart block” [clinical onset] — factor (59): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of heart block” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (24): “having hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy before the clinical onset of heart block” [clinical onset] — factor (51): “having hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy before the clinical worsening of heart block” [worsening]
Ischaemic heart disease
RH No. 27 of 2025 · BoP No. 28 of 2025
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension before clinical onset or clinical worsening” [onset and worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension before clinical onset or clinical worsening” [onset and worsening]
Macular degeneration
RH No. 59 of 2018 · BoP No. 60 of 2018
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (8): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of macular degeneration” [clinical onset] — factor (17): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical worsening of macular degeneration” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Malignant neoplasm of the kidney
RH No. 41 of 2021 · BoP No. 42 of 2021
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension for a period of at least two years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the kidney” [clinical onset]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension for a period of at least five years before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the kidney” [clinical onset]
Non-aneurysmal aortic atherosclerotic disease
RH No. 52 of 2020 · BoP No. 53 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of non-aneurysmal aortic atherosclerotic disease” [clinical onset] — factor (19): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of non-aneurysmal aortic atherosclerotic disease” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of non-aneurysmal aortic atherosclerotic disease” [clinical onset] — factor (12): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of non-aneurysmal aortic atherosclerotic disease” [worsening]
Open-angle glaucoma
RH No. 49 of 2021 · BoP No. 50 of 2021
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (10): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of open-angle glaucoma” [clinical onset] — factor (21): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of open-angle glaucoma” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Peripheral artery disease
RH No. 70 of 2020 · BoP No. 71 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of peripheral artery disease” [clinical onset] — factor (19): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of peripheral artery disease” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of peripheral artery disease” [clinical onset] — factor (13): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of peripheral artery disease” [worsening]
Renal artery atherosclerotic disease
RH No. 56 of 2020 · BoP No. 57 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension for a period of at least five years before the clinical onset of renal artery atherosclerotic disease” [clinical onset] — factor (16): “having hypertension for a period of at least five years before the clinical worsening of renal artery atherosclerotic disease” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (1): “having hypertension for a period of at least ten years before the clinical onset of renal artery atherosclerotic disease” [clinical onset] — factor (11): “having hypertension for a period of at least ten years before the clinical worsening of renal artery atherosclerotic disease” [worsening]
Retinal vascular occlusion
RH No. 50 of 2020 · BoP No. 51 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (2): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion” [clinical onset] — factor (21): “for retinal venous occlusion only: (a) having open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma or ocular hypertension, at the time of the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion; (b) having chronic renal failure at the time of the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion; (c) being severely dehydrated at the time of the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion; or (d) having obstructive sleep apnoea at the time of the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion” [clinical onset] — factor (24): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion” [worsening] — factor (43): “for retinal venous occlusion only: (a) having open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma or ocular hypertension, at the time of the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion; (b) having chronic renal failure at the time of the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion; (c) being severely dehydrated at the time of the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion; or (d) having obstructive sleep apnoea at the time of the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (2): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion” [clinical onset] — factor (19): “for retinal venous occlusion only: (a) having open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma or ocular hypertension, at the time of the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion; (b) having chronic renal failure at the time of the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion; or (c) being severely dehydrated at the time of the clinical onset of retinal vascular occlusion” [clinical onset] — factor (22): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion” [worsening] — factor (39): “for retinal venous occlusion only: (a) having open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma or ocular hypertension, at the time of the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion; (b) having chronic renal failure at the time of the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion; or (c) being severely dehydrated at the time of the clinical worsening of retinal vascular occlusion” [worsening]
Note: ocular hypertension is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Seizure
RH No. 37 of 2022 · BoP No. 38 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (17): “having malignant hypertension or hypertensive encephalopathy within the 4 weeks before the clinical onset of seizure” [clinical onset]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (17): “having malignant hypertension or hypertensive encephalopathy within the 4 weeks before the clinical onset of seizure” [clinical onset]
Note: malignant hypertension is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Sensorineural hearing loss
RH No. 98 of 2019 · BoP No. 99 of 2019
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (35): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of sensorineural hearing loss” [clinical onset] — factor (70): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical worsening of sensorineural hearing loss” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Sick sinus syndrome
RH No. 66 of 2022 · BoP No. 67 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (2): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of sick sinus syndrome” [clinical onset] — factor (27): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical worsening of sick sinus syndrome” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (2): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of sick sinus syndrome” [clinical onset] — factor (20): “having hypertension at the time of the clinical worsening of sick sinus syndrome” [worsening]
Steatohepatitis
RH No. 86 of 2022 · BoP No. 87 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of steatohepatitis” [clinical onset]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Sudden unexplained death
RH No. 45 of 2022 · BoP No. 46 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (7): “having hypertension at the time of the sudden unexplained death”
Balance of Probabilities — factor (7): “having hypertension at the time of the sudden unexplained death”
Vascular neurocognitive disorder
RH No. 9 of 2023 · BoP No. 10 of 2023
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (3): “having hypertension before the clinical onset of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [clinical onset] — factor (22): “having hypertension before the clinical worsening of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (3): “having hypertension at least 5 years before the clinical onset of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [clinical onset] — factor (16): “having hypertension at least 5 years before the clinical worsening of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [worsening]
Other accepted conditions that also open alzheimer disease
If any of these is also on your file, it reaches some of the same conditions hypertension does.
What DVA means by hypertension
A claim is tested against the definition first. If the diagnosis on your file does not meet this wording, the factors below never get reached — so it is worth checking that what your doctor wrote matches what the instrument requires.
Hypertension, for the purposes of the Statement of Principles, for the purposes of this Statement of Principles, hypertension: (a) means persistently elevated blood pressure, where that persistent elevation in blood pressure has been diagnosed by a medical practitioner and evidenced by: (i) a usual clinic blood pressure reading of greater than or equal to 140 mmHg systolic or greater than or equal to 90 mmHg diastolic, or equivalent levels using ambulatory blood pressure measurement; or (ii) a usual home blood pressure reading of greater than or equal to 135 mmHg systolic or greater than or equal to 85 mmHg diastolic; or (iii) for persons aged under 18 years, a usual systolic or diastolic blood pressure reading of greater than or equal to the 95th centile for age and sex; or (iv) the regular administration of antihypertensive therapy to reduce blood pressure; and (b) excludes temporary elevations in blood pressure from conditions such as acute renal failure, neurogenic hypertension, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and medications.
Note the exclusion. This instrument expressly excludes temporary elevations in blood pressure from conditions such as acute renal failure, neurogenic Hypertension, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, gestational Hypertension and medications. A diagnosis of that is not a diagnosis of hypertension, and a claim framed the wrong way fails on the definition before any factor is considered.
Aggravation-only factors. In this instrument, subsections 9(26) to 9(51) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, hypertension where it was already present before or during service. If service caused hypertension outright, those factors are not available to you.
RH No. 21 of 2022 · BoP No. 22 of 2022 · 37 factors
What could support a claim for hypertension?
The Statement of Principles for hypertension names 3 other conditions among its own factors. If any of these is already accepted on your file, it may be the factor that carries a hypertension claim — quoted here from the instrument.
Diabetes mellitus
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (6): “having diabetes mellitus for at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of hypertension” [clinical onset]
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (31): “having diabetes mellitus for at least the 5 years before the clinical worsening of hypertension” [worsening]
Sleep apnoea
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (9): “having sleep apnoea at the time of the clinical onset of hypertension” [clinical onset]
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (34): “having sleep apnoea at the time of the clinical worsening of hypertension” [worsening]
Human immunodeficiency virus infection
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (17): “taking medroxyprogesterone acetate or megestrol acetate for a malignant disease or human immunodeficiency virus infection: (a) for at least 28 days before the clinical onset of hypertension; and (b) if treatment has ceased before the clinical onset of hypertension, then that onset occurred within 30 days of cessation” [clinical onset]
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (42): “taking medroxyprogesterone acetate or megestrol acetate for a malignant disease or human immunodeficiency virus infection: (a) for at least 28 days before the clinical worsening of hypertension; and (b) if treatment has ceased before the clinical worsening of hypertension, then that worsening occurred within 30 days of cessation” [worsening]
Reviewed by Dr Thomas Perkins
Founding doctor, Veterans Health Centre · former RAAF aviation medical officer · 13 years working exclusively with ADF members and veterans. Full profile →
Hypertension accepted?
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