Heart Valve Disease

DC 7000Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7000

A condition where one or more of the heart valves do not work properly, including stenosis (narrowing) and regurgitation (leaking). The VA rates heart valve disease based on your workload capacity in METs and whether you have heart failure.

Rating Levels

You have chronic congestive heart failure, or your workload capacity is 3 METs or less with symptoms, or your left ventricular ejection fraction is less than 30 percent. A 100% rating is also assigned for one year following heart valve replacement (prosthetic valve).

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Prosthetic heart valve (100% for 1 year post-surgery)
Active infection with valvular damage

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not knowing about the automatic 100% temporary rating after valve replacement surgery — you receive 100% for one year following prosthetic valve placement, then get re-evaluated.
⚠Not getting regular echocardiograms — valve disease can worsen over time. Updated imaging showing progression supports a higher rating or new claim for increase.
⚠Not connecting valve disease to in-service rheumatic fever, endocarditis, or other infections that may have damaged the valve during military service.
⚠Failing to report exercise limitations honestly — if you cannot walk more than a block without shortness of breath, say so. The METs estimation depends on your reported activity levels.

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%
Prosthetic heart valve (100% for 1 year post-surgery)
Active infection with valvular damage

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not knowing about the automatic 100% temporary rating after valve replacement surgery — you receive 100% for one year following prosthetic valve placement, then get re-evaluated.

⚠Not getting regular echocardiograms — valve disease can worsen over time. Updated imaging showing progression supports a higher rating or new claim for increase.

⚠Not connecting valve disease to in-service rheumatic fever, endocarditis, or other infections that may have damaged the valve during military service.

⚠Failing to report exercise limitations honestly — if you cannot walk more than a block without shortness of breath, say so. The METs estimation depends on your reported activity levels.