Coronary Artery Disease

DC 7005Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7005

A condition where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. The VA rates coronary artery disease based on your heart workload capacity measured in METs (metabolic equivalents) and whether you have congestive heart failure.

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.

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Severe exercise limitation
Ongoing heart failure management

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting an exercise stress test or METs estimation — the VA rating depends on your measured workload capacity. If you cannot exercise, the examiner can estimate METs based on your reported activity limitations.
⚠Not requesting an echocardiogram to document ejection fraction — a reduced ejection fraction (30-50%) qualifies for 60% even without a low METs score.
⚠Not connecting coronary artery disease to other service-connected conditions — CAD is commonly secondary to diabetes, hypertension, or Agent Orange/herbicide exposure (presumptive for Vietnam veterans).
⚠Failing to document congestive heart failure episodes — even one hospitalization for CHF matters. Keep records of all ER visits and hospitalizations.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Ischemic Heart Disease

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 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.

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Severe exercise limitation
Ongoing heart failure management

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting an exercise stress test or METs estimation — the VA rating depends on your measured workload capacity. If you cannot exercise, the examiner can estimate METs based on your reported activity limitations.

⚠Not requesting an echocardiogram to document ejection fraction — a reduced ejection fraction (30-50%) qualifies for 60% even without a low METs score.

⚠Not connecting coronary artery disease to other service-connected conditions — CAD is commonly secondary to diabetes, hypertension, or Agent Orange/herbicide exposure (presumptive for Vietnam veterans).

⚠Failing to document congestive heart failure episodes — even one hospitalization for CHF matters. Keep records of all ER visits and hospitalizations.