Claiming Peripheral Artery Disease / Arteriosclerosis Obliterans?
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VA Rating Tiers
60%
ischemic ulcers or gangrene
40%
rest pain
20%
claudication mild
10%
claudication moderate
0%
mild only
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›60%: Claudication at rest or less than 25 yards — or persistent cold, numbness, and pain in extremity. DC 7114.
- ›40%: Claudication on less than 100 yards — or rest pain at night with significant functional limitation. DC 7114.
- ›20%: Claudication on less than 400 yards. DC 7114.
- ›10%: Claudication on more than 400 yards with documented symptoms and vascular studies. DC 7114.
- ›0%: Documented but below compensable threshold — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 7114: Arteriosclerosis obliterans / peripheral artery disease.
- ›60%: Persistent ischemic ulcers or gangrene.
- ›40%: Rest pain; marked impairment of pulses; dietary restrictions.
- ›20%: Intermittent claudication on mild exertion; diminished pulses.
- ›10%: Claudication on moderate exertion.
- ›0%: Cold feet, diminished pulses without claudication — still ratable and service-connectable.
- ›ABI ≤0.9 objectively documents PAD — bring test results.
- ›Amputation residuals are rated separately under prosthesis or residuals codes.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •DC 7114 — arteriosclerosis obliterans; rated based on claudication severity, pulses, and presence of rest pain or ischemic ulcers.
- •Service connection pathways: secondary to hypertension or diabetes; or direct from toxic/cold exposure during service.
- •ABI (ankle-brachial index) and Doppler ultrasound are key diagnostic tests — document with vascular surgery records.
- •Ischemic ulcers, gangrene, or amputation residuals support higher ratings.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •in-service records of hypertension, atherosclerosis risk factors, or peripheral vascular symptoms
- •records of cold injury, frostbite, or immersion foot during service
Medical Evidence
- •vascular surgery or cardiology records confirming PAD diagnosis
- •ABI (ankle-brachial index) test results
- •peripheral arterial Doppler ultrasound or CT angiography
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •personal statement describing claudication distance, rest pain, or cold extremities
- •statement connecting service tobacco use, cold injury, or hypertension to diagnosis
Diagnostic Tests
- •ABI (ankle-brachial index)
- •peripheral Doppler ultrasound
- •CT angiography / MRA
- •segmental limb pressures
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Cardiovascular / Peripheral Artery Disease DBQ
Be ready to describe
- •claudication distance — how far you can walk before leg pain starts
- •rest pain, cold extremities, or non-healing wounds
- •connection to hypertension, diabetes, or cold injury during service
Prep notes
- •Bring ABI test results and any peripheral ultrasound or angiography reports.
- •Bring vascular surgery records and any bypass or angioplasty procedure notes.
- •If secondary to hypertension or diabetes, bring those records and note the connection.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 7114
- Category
- Cardiovascular
- Subcategory
- Vascular
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 60%
Also Known As
peripheral artery diseasePADarteriosclerosis obliteransperipheral vascular diseasePVDclaudicationintermittent claudicationlower extremity arterial diseaseischemic limb
Related Conditions
Secondary to
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