Claiming Heart Valve Disease?
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VA Rating Tiers
100%
mets minimal
100%
ef low
60%
mets light
60%
ef mid
30%
mets moderate
10%
mets vigorous or meds
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›100%: Symptoms at 3 METs or less (minimal exertion) — OR ejection fraction less than 30%. DC 7000.
- ›60%: Symptoms at 3–5 METs (light activity) — OR ejection fraction 30–50%. DC 7000.
- ›30%: Symptoms at 5–7 METs (moderate activity such as brisk walking or stair climbing). DC 7000.
- ›10%: Continuous medication required — symptoms only with vigorous activity above 7 METs. DC 7000.
- ›0%: Below minimum rating threshold — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 7000: Heart valve disease — rated under the general heart disease formula.
- ›Specific valve codes also exist: DC 7001 (aortic regurgitation), DC 7002 (aortic stenosis), DC 7003 (mitral stenosis), DC 7004 (mitral regurgitation) — all rate similarly.
- ›Post-surgical rating is based on current functional status, not the surgery itself.
- ›Echocardiogram EF and stress test METs are the key documents.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •DC 7000 — rated using the general heart disease formula based on METs tolerance and ejection fraction.
- •Multiple valve codes exist (7000–7004) for specific valves; DC 7000 covers endocarditis/general valve disease.
- •Post-surgical valve replacement or repair: rate on current functional status using METs/EF.
- •Service connection pathways: rheumatic fever during service, traumatic valve injury, or secondary to hypertension or CAD.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •in-service records documenting rheumatic fever, cardiac murmur, or valve findings
- •separation physical showing cardiac abnormality
Medical Evidence
- •echocardiogram documenting valve disease severity and EF
- •cardiology records confirming valvular diagnosis
- •valve surgery operative reports and post-operative echocardiogram
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •personal statement describing symptoms and functional limits
- •statement connecting service rheumatic fever or injury to valve disease
Diagnostic Tests
- •echocardiogram (valve severity and EF)
- •exercise stress test (METs)
- •EKG
- •cardiac catheterization
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Cardiovascular / Valvular Heart Disease DBQ
Be ready to describe
- •activity level that triggers symptoms
- •ejection fraction if known
- •history of valve surgery or intervention
Prep notes
- •Bring echocardiogram report — valve severity and EF drive the rating.
- •Bring stress test results showing METs tolerance.
- •If you had valve surgery, bring the operative report and post-op echocardiogram.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 7000
- Category
- Cardiovascular
- Subcategory
- Heart
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 100%
Also Known As
heart valve diseasevalvular heart diseaseaortic stenosisaortic regurgitationmitral stenosismitral regurgitationmitral valve prolapsetricuspid valve diseasevalve replacementvalvuloplasty
Related Conditions
Commonly leads to
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