Cardiac Amyloidosis

DC 7020Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7020

A condition where abnormal protein deposits build up in the heart muscle, making it stiff and hard for the heart to pump blood. The VA rates cardiac amyloidosis based on your heart workload capacity measured in METs, ejection fraction, and whether you have congestive heart failure.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 7020

Rating range

30% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.104, DC 7020. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

You have chronic congestive heart failure, or your workload capacity is 3 METs or less causing symptoms, or your ejection fraction is less than 30 percent.

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure documented
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Ongoing heart failure management
Amyloid subtype confirmed (AL or ATTR)

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a tissue biopsy or cardiac MRI to confirm amyloid deposits in the heart — the VA needs pathology or advanced imaging to distinguish cardiac amyloidosis from other causes of heart failure.
⚠Not documenting the specific amyloid subtype (AL vs. ATTR) — ATTR amyloidosis is increasingly recognized in veterans and the subtype affects treatment planning and prognosis.
⚠Not connecting cardiac amyloidosis to service-connected exposures — certain chemical and environmental exposures during military service may contribute to amyloid protein misfolding.
⚠Not requesting an echocardiogram showing restrictive filling pattern and wall thickness — these findings are characteristic of cardiac amyloidosis and support a higher rating.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Heart Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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Cardiac Amyloidosis

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 7020

Rating range

30% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

You have chronic congestive heart failure, or your workload capacity is 3 METs or less causing symptoms, or your ejection fraction is less than 30 percent.

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure documented
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Ongoing heart failure management
Amyloid subtype confirmed (AL or ATTR)

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a tissue biopsy or cardiac MRI to confirm amyloid deposits in the heart — the VA needs pathology or advanced imaging to distinguish cardiac amyloidosis from other causes of heart failure.

⚠Not documenting the specific amyloid subtype (AL vs. ATTR) — ATTR amyloidosis is increasingly recognized in veterans and the subtype affects treatment planning and prognosis.

⚠Not connecting cardiac amyloidosis to service-connected exposures — certain chemical and environmental exposures during military service may contribute to amyloid protein misfolding.

⚠Not requesting an echocardiogram showing restrictive filling pattern and wall thickness — these findings are characteristic of cardiac amyloidosis and support a higher rating.