Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Residuals

DC 7017Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7017

Residual effects after coronary artery bypass graft surgery to treat blocked heart arteries. The VA rates based on exercise capacity (METs) and heart function after recovery from surgery.

Rating Levels

You have chronic congestive heart failure, or your workload capacity is 3 METs or less resulting in symptoms, or your left ventricular ejection fraction is less than 30 percent. Note: for 3 months following hospital discharge for CABG surgery, a 100% rating is assigned.

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Hospital discharge records for CABG surgery
Severe exercise limitation documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a stress test or METs estimation to document exercise limitations — the VA rating depends on your measured workload capacity after recovery from surgery.
⚠Not filing within 3 months of surgery to capture the automatic 100% temporary rating — make sure the VA assigns 100% from the date of your hospital discharge.
⚠Not documenting ejection fraction on echocardiogram — a low EF (below 50%) supports higher ratings even without a low METs score.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions like depression, surgical scar pain, or sternal wire complications that developed because of the bypass surgery.

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

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Hospital discharge records for CABG surgery
Severe exercise limitation documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a stress test or METs estimation to document exercise limitations — the VA rating depends on your measured workload capacity after recovery from surgery.

⚠Not filing within 3 months of surgery to capture the automatic 100% temporary rating — make sure the VA assigns 100% from the date of your hospital discharge.

⚠Not documenting ejection fraction on echocardiogram — a low EF (below 50%) supports higher ratings even without a low METs score.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions like depression, surgical scar pain, or sternal wire complications that developed because of the bypass surgery.