Rheumatic / Valvular Heart Disease
Rheumatic and valvular heart disease is rated under DC 7000 using the basic heart condition METs schedule. This covers conditions where the heart valves do not function properly, often as a result of rheumatic fever or other causes. As with all basic heart conditions, only one evaluation is permitted across all basic heart diagnoses. After heart valve replacement surgery, a temporary 100% rating is assigned for six months.
VA Rating Levels
Workload of 7.1 to 10.0 METs causes symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting. Or continuous medication is required.
Workload of 5.1 to 7.0 METs causes symptoms. Or there is evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation on EKG, echocardiogram, or X-ray.
Workload of 3.1 to 5.0 METs causes symptoms.
Workload of 3.0 METs or less causes symptoms, or there is chronic congestive heart failure. A temporary 100% is assigned for six months following heart valve replacement surgery.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →If you have had heart valve replacement surgery, you should receive a temporary 100% rating for six months. After that, you will be re-evaluated based on residual symptoms.
- →All basic heart conditions share the same rating criteria. If you have valve disease plus CAD, the VA rates only the one that gives you the best outcome.
- →Get regular echocardiograms and keep copies of the results. Evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation can support a 30% rating or higher.
- →Heart murmurs by themselves are not always ratable, but if they are caused by valve dysfunction that limits your exercise capacity, that is what the VA evaluates.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR 4.104, DC 7000