Aortic aneurysm is rated under diagnostic code 7110 at 30, 60, or 100 percent based on size, location, and complications.
Aortic regurgitation is rated under 38 CFR 4.104 DC 7000 series at 10 to 100 percent based on METs, ejection fraction, and history of CHF.
Aortic Stenosis (diagnostic code 7000) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Atrial fibrillation is rated under diagnostic code 7010 at 10 or 30 percent based on episode frequency.
Atrioventricular Block (Heart Block) (diagnostic code 7015) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Buerger's disease is rated under 38 CFR 4.104 DC 7115 (thromboangiitis obliterans) at 20 to 100 percent based on claudication distance and ulceration or amputation.
Supraventricular arrhythmias are rated under diagnostic code 7010 at 10 or 30 percent based on episode frequency and treatment requirements.
Cardiomyopathy (diagnostic code 7020) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Chronic venous insufficiency is rated under 38 CFR 4.104 DC 7120 (varicose veins) at 0 to 100 percent based on edema, ulcers, and pigmentation.
Congestive Heart Failure (diagnostic code 7020) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Coronary Bypass Surgery Residuals (CABG) (diagnostic code 7017) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093). For three months following hospital admission for coronary bypass surgery: 100 percent for that period first; thereafter the formula applies.
Post-phlebitic syndrome of either lower extremity is rated under diagnostic code 7121 at 10, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on severity of edema, skin changes, and ulceration.
Endocarditis (diagnostic code 7001) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093). Active infection with valvular heart damage, and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active infection: 100 percent for that period first; thereafter the formula applies.
Heart Transplant Residuals (diagnostic code 7019) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Heart Valve Replacement (diagnostic code 7016) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093). For an indefinite period from the date of hospital admission for valve replacement, with a mandatory VA examination six months following discharge: 100 percent for that period first; thereafter the formula applies.
High cholesterol, high triglycerides and hyperlipidemia are not ratable disabilities on their own. When VA rewrote the endocrine rating schedule in 1996 it said so directly: these diagnoses "are actually laboratory test results, and are not, in and of themselves, disabilities," so the rating schedule gives them no diagnostic code. A claim for high cholesterol alone is denied for lack of a current disability, the rule the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims stated in Brammer v. Derwinski: without proof of a present disability there can be no valid claim. What can be service connected and rated is a disability the cholesterol contributed to, or that arose from treating it: coronary artery disease (diagnostic code 7005), stroke residuals, peripheral artery disease, or a medication side effect that is itself disabling.
Hypertension is rated under diagnostic code 7101 at 10, 20, 40, or 60 percent based on diastolic and systolic readings.
ICD implantation for sustained ventricular arrhythmia is rated under diagnostic code 7011 at a minimum 100 percent for the first 3 months, then by the residual arrhythmia and shock frequency.
Ischemic Heart Disease (diagnostic code 7005) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Lymphedema is rated under 38 CFR 4.104 DC 7121 (post-phlebitic syndrome) by analogy at 10 to 100 percent based on swelling, ulceration, and ambulation impact.
Mitral Regurgitation (diagnostic code 7000) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Mitral stenosis is rated by analogy under 38 CFR 4.104 DC 7000 (valvular heart disease) at 10 to 100 percent based on METs achieved and ejection fraction.
Pacemaker implantation is rated under diagnostic code 7018 at a minimum 10 percent rating, with the underlying arrhythmia rated separately under its specific code.
Pericarditis and Pericardial Disease (diagnostic code 7002) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093). Active infection or inflammation, and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active disease: 100 percent for that period first; thereafter the formula applies.
Since November 14, 2021, peripheral arterial disease under diagnostic code 7114 is rated on objective vascular testing rather than claudication distance: 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on the ankle/brachial index (ABI), ankle pressure, toe pressure, or transcutaneous oxygen tension, whichever is documented. A normal ABI is 0.80 or higher; an ABI of 0.39 or less rates 100 percent.
Post-Myocardial Infarction Residuals (diagnostic code 7006) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
POTS is rated by analogy under 38 CFR 4.104 (cardiovascular) DC 7099-7011 at 10 to 60 percent based on symptom severity and ability to function.
Pulmonary Hypertension (diagnostic code 7007) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart in 38 CFR 4.104: 100 percent when a workload of 3.0 METs or less produces heart failure symptoms, 60 percent at 3.1 to 5.0 METs, 30 percent at 5.1 to 7.0 METs or with cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and 10 percent at 7.1 to 10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required. Ejection fraction and counts of heart failure episodes stopped being rating criteria when the formula was rewritten effective November 14, 2021 (86 FR 54093).
Raynaud's disease is rated under diagnostic code 7117 at 10, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on the frequency of characteristic attacks and the presence of digital ulceration.
Raynaud's phenomenon is rated under 38 CFR 4.104, DC 7117 from 10 to 100 percent based on the number of characteristic attacks per week, presence of digital ulceration, and any autoamputation.
Varicose veins are rated under diagnostic code 7120 at 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent per leg based on severity of symptoms and skin changes.
WPW syndrome is rated under 38 CFR 4.104 DC 7011 (ventricular arrhythmias) at 10 to 100 percent based on frequency of symptomatic episodes and ablation status.