- Diagnostic Code
- 7123
- CFR Section
- §4.104 — Cardiovascular
Rating Tiers
Note: A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.
Rated Under Formula
This condition is rated using the §4.104 general rating formula.
Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms
Workload of 3.1-5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms
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)
Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control
What Raters Look For
Based on M21-1 adjudication criteria for Cardiovascular conditions. These are the factors a VA rater evaluates when assigning a rating percentage.
M21-1 III.iv.4.C- •Ejection fraction percentage from echocardiogram or MUGA scan
- •Exercise tolerance in METs from stress test results
- •NYHA functional class (I–IV) documented in treatment records
- •Arrhythmia type, documented frequency, and whether it requires intervention
- •Workup findings: EKG, Holter monitor, echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization
- •Episodes of heart failure, hospitalizations, or emergency care
- •Current medications and whether the condition is controlled or progressive