Arteriosclerosis Obliterans

DC 7114Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7114

Hardening and narrowing of arteries in the legs reducing blood flow. Causes leg pain when walking (claudication) and can lead to tissue loss. The VA rates based on ankle/brachial index (ABI) and symptoms.

Rating Levels

You have ischemic limb pain at rest, deep ischemic ulcers, or your ankle/brachial index is 0.4 or less.

What the VA looks for

Ischemic limb pain at rest documented
Deep ischemic ulcers documented with photographs
ABI of 0.4 or less
Wound care records for ischemic ulcers
Vascular specialist records documenting severe disease

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting ABI testing — this is a simple non-invasive test that provides objective measurement of arterial blood flow and directly maps to VA rating criteria.
⚠Not documenting exact walking distance before claudication occurs — the rating levels are based on specific walking distances, so keep a log of how far you can walk before symptoms begin.
⚠Not noting trophic changes such as thin skin, hair loss on the legs, or dystrophic nails — these findings support the 40% rating and should be documented at every examination.
⚠Not connecting to Agent Orange exposure or diabetes as a secondary condition — arteriosclerosis is a recognized complication of diabetes and may be linked to herbicide exposure.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Artery and Vein 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 ischemic limb pain at rest, deep ischemic ulcers, or your ankle/brachial index is 0.4 or less.

What the VA looks for

Ischemic limb pain at rest documented
Deep ischemic ulcers documented with photographs
ABI of 0.4 or less
Wound care records for ischemic ulcers
Vascular specialist records documenting severe disease

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting ABI testing — this is a simple non-invasive test that provides objective measurement of arterial blood flow and directly maps to VA rating criteria.

⚠Not documenting exact walking distance before claudication occurs — the rating levels are based on specific walking distances, so keep a log of how far you can walk before symptoms begin.

⚠Not noting trophic changes such as thin skin, hair loss on the legs, or dystrophic nails — these findings support the 40% rating and should be documented at every examination.

⚠Not connecting to Agent Orange exposure or diabetes as a secondary condition — arteriosclerosis is a recognized complication of diabetes and may be linked to herbicide exposure.