Diagnostic Code 7000 · 38 CFR §§4.104
Valvular heart disease occurs when one or more of the heart's four valves do not open or close properly, disrupting normal blood flow. Conditions include mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, and others. In veterans, valve disease may develop from rheumatic fever during service, endocarditis from infections, or damage from the physical stresses of military life. The VA rates valvular heart disease based on exercise capacity measured in METs (metabolic equivalents of task) and cardiac symptoms.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | |
| 60% | |
| 30% | |
| 10% |
Echocardiogram showing valve function, chamber sizes, and ejection fraction, Exercise stress test or METs estimation by a cardiologist, Cardiology records documenting the specific valve condition, Treatment records including medications and any surgical interventions, Documentation of symptoms and functional limitations