Cardiac Arrhythmia

DC 7010Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7010

An irregular heartbeat including conditions like atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular arrhythmias. The VA rates arrhythmias based on how often episodes occur and what treatment you need.

Rating Levels

You have sustained ventricular arrhythmias, or you have an implanted automatic defibrillator (AICD/ICD), or your arrhythmia results in a workload of 3 METs or less with symptoms.

What the VA looks for

Sustained ventricular arrhythmias documented
Implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD/AICD)
Hospitalization for sustained ventricular arrhythmia
History of ventricular aneurysmectomy
Workload of 3 METs or less with symptoms

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting episodes with ECG or Holter monitoring — the VA requires documented episodes, not just self-reported symptoms. Ask your cardiologist for Holter monitoring if episodes are infrequent.
⚠Not tracking the frequency of episodes accurately — the jump from 10% to 30% depends on whether you have more than four documented episodes per year.
⚠Not reporting symptoms during episodes — palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fainting during arrhythmia episodes should be documented in medical records.
⚠Missing secondary connections — arrhythmias can be secondary to ischemic heart disease, sleep apnea, or toxic exposures during service.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Heart Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

You have sustained ventricular arrhythmias, or you have an implanted automatic defibrillator (AICD/ICD), or your arrhythmia results in a workload of 3 METs or less with symptoms.

What the VA looks for

Sustained ventricular arrhythmias documented
Implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD/AICD)
Hospitalization for sustained ventricular arrhythmia
History of ventricular aneurysmectomy
Workload of 3 METs or less with symptoms

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting episodes with ECG or Holter monitoring — the VA requires documented episodes, not just self-reported symptoms. Ask your cardiologist for Holter monitoring if episodes are infrequent.

⚠Not tracking the frequency of episodes accurately — the jump from 10% to 30% depends on whether you have more than four documented episodes per year.

⚠Not reporting symptoms during episodes — palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fainting during arrhythmia episodes should be documented in medical records.

⚠Missing secondary connections — arrhythmias can be secondary to ischemic heart disease, sleep apnea, or toxic exposures during service.