Pericarditis

The VA rates Pericarditis under Diagnostic Code 7002 at 100%. The minimum 100% rating requires: During active infection with cardiac involvement and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active infection. The maximum 100% rating requires: During active infection with cardiac involvement and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active infection.

The VA rates Pericarditis under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7002, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.104. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.

Yes — a 100% rating for Pericarditis 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.

The key evidence for Pericarditis 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.

The C&P examiner uses a Cardiovascular System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7002 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.