Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease),
The VA rates Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), under Diagnostic Code 7000 across 4 severity levels, from 10% to 100%. At 100%, a veteran with no dependents receives $3,938.58 per month, tax-free (2026 rates); dependents add to that.
Rating schedule — DC 7000 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 10%
- Maximum rating
- 100%
- Rating tiers
- 4
- CFR section
- § 4.104
- Body system
- Cardiovascular System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
Full schedular disability
10%, 30%, 60%, 100%
Part 4 rating schedule
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease),?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control Note: METs = Metabolic Equivalents. Exercise tolerance testing documents functional capacity. Includes aortic stenosis/regurgitation, mitral stenosis/regurgitation, tricuspid disease. |
| 30% | Workload of 5.1-7.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent (e.g., multigated acquisition scan or magnetic resonance imaging) |
| 60% | Workload of 3.1-5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms |
| 100% | Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms |
“Workload of 3.1-5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms”
What other cardiovascular conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), 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.
- 7001Endocarditis, orRated up to 100%
- 7002PericarditisRated up to 100%
- 7005Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)Rated up to 100%
- 7006Myocardial infarctionRated up to 100%
- 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%
- 7018Implantable cardiac pacemakersRated up to 100%
Common Questions About Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease),?
The VA rates Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), under Diagnostic Code 7000 at 10%, 30%, 60%, 100%. The minimum 10% rating requires: Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control. The maximum 100% rating requires: Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease),?
The VA rates Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7000, governed by 38 CFR 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 Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease),?
A 10% rating requires: Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control. A 100% rating requires: Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 100% rating for Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), 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 Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease),?
The key evidence for Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease), 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 Valvular heart disease (including rheumatic heart disease),?
The C&P examiner uses a Cardiovascular System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7000 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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