Implantable cardiac pacemakers
The VA rates Implantable cardiac pacemakers under Diagnostic Code 7018 across 2 severity levels, from 10% to 100%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
Rating schedule — DC 7018 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 10%
- Maximum rating
- 100%
- Rating tiers
- 2
- CFR section
- § 4.104
- Body system
- Cardiovascular System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
Full schedular disability
10%, 100%
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Implantable cardiac pacemakers?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Minimum |
| 100% | For one month following hospital discharge for implantation or re-implantation |
“For one month following hospital discharge for implantation or re-implantation”
What other cardiovascular conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Implantable cardiac pacemakers in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 7009Bradycardia (Bradyarrhythmia), symptomatic, requiring permanent pacemaker implantationRated up to 100%
- 7010Supraventricular tachycardiaRated up to 30%
- 7011Ventricular arrhythmias (sustained)Rated up to 100%
- 7016Heart valve replacement (prosthesis)Rated up to 100%
- 7017Coronary bypass surgeryRated up to 100%
- 7019Cardiac transplantationRated up to 100%
- 7020CardiomyopathyRated up to 30%
- 7101Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension)Rated up to 60%
- 7110Aortic aneurysm: Ascending, thoracic, or abdominalRated up to 100%
- 7111Aneurysm, any large arteryRated up to 100%
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- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
- TDIU: 100 Percent VA Pay Without a 100 Percent RatingTDIU pays the 100% VA compensation rate without a 100% rating. See the percentage paths, the extraschedular route under 38 CFR 4.16(b), and how work affects it.
- P&T vs 100% VA Disability: What Is the Difference?Permanent and total (P&T) and a 100 percent VA rating are not the same thing. Here is what total, permanent, and protected each mean, and what P&T unlocks.
Common Questions About Implantable cardiac pacemakers VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Implantable cardiac pacemakers?
The VA rates Implantable cardiac pacemakers under Diagnostic Code 7018 at 10%, 100%. The minimum 10% rating requires: Minimum. The maximum 100% rating requires: For one month following hospital discharge for implantation or re-implantation.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Implantable cardiac pacemakers?
The VA rates Implantable cardiac pacemakers under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7018, published in 38 CFR § 4.104. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 10% and a 100% rating for Implantable cardiac pacemakers?
A 10% rating requires: Minimum. A 100% rating requires: For one month following hospital discharge for implantation or re-implantation. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Implantable cardiac pacemakers qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 100% rating for Implantable cardiac pacemakers alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Implantable cardiac pacemakers?
The key evidence for Implantable cardiac pacemakers is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. Treatment records showing worsening symptoms, functional limitations documented by your provider, and buddy statements describing observable impact on daily life all strengthen the claim. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Implantable cardiac pacemakers?
The C&P examiner uses a Cardiovascular System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7018 rating criteria. Cardiac stress testing or METs estimation drives the rating. If you cannot exercise, the examiner estimates METs from interview. Be specific about what activities cause symptoms — stairs, walking distances, lifting limits.
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