Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

DC 7017Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7017

A condition where old blood clots in the lungs cause high blood pressure in the lung arteries. The VA rates CTEPH based on your pulmonary artery pressure, right heart function, and how much physical activity you can do.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on objective clinical measurements and test results. The examiner will use standardized tests or lab values to determine the severity of your condition rather than relying primarily on subjective symptom reports.

Diagnostic code

DC 7017

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.104, DC 7017. 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

Your mean pulmonary artery pressure is 55 mmHg or higher, or your RVSP is 80 mmHg or higher. You have severe exercise limitation with workload capacity of 3 METs or less, or you have right heart failure. You may be a candidate for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.

What the VA looks for

Right heart catheterization showing mPAP 55 mmHg or greater
RVSP 80 mmHg or greater on echocardiogram
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Right heart failure with peripheral edema, ascites, or elevated JVP
Evaluation for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE surgery)

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a right heart catheterization — echocardiogram estimates of RVSP can underestimate the true pulmonary artery pressure. A right heart cath is the gold standard and directly determines your rating level.
⚠Not connecting CTEPH to prior in-service pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis — CTEPH develops from unresolved blood clots, so the service connection chain must be clearly documented.
⚠Not documenting exercise capacity with a METs test or stress test — the VA cannot assign a higher rating without objective evidence of exercise limitation.
⚠Not requesting evaluation at a specialized pulmonary hypertension center — CTEPH is often misdiagnosed as regular pulmonary hypertension, and specialized testing can establish the correct diagnosis.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — right heart failure, peripheral edema, and chronic anticoagulation side effects may each warrant separate ratings.

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…

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 7017

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Right heart catheterization showing mPAP 55 mmHg or greater
RVSP 80 mmHg or greater on echocardiogram
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Right heart failure with peripheral edema, ascites, or elevated JVP
Evaluation for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE surgery)

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a right heart catheterization — echocardiogram estimates of RVSP can underestimate the true pulmonary artery pressure. A right heart cath is the gold standard and directly determines your rating level.

⚠Not connecting CTEPH to prior in-service pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis — CTEPH develops from unresolved blood clots, so the service connection chain must be clearly documented.

⚠Not documenting exercise capacity with a METs test or stress test — the VA cannot assign a higher rating without objective evidence of exercise limitation.

⚠Not requesting evaluation at a specialized pulmonary hypertension center — CTEPH is often misdiagnosed as regular pulmonary hypertension, and specialized testing can establish the correct diagnosis.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — right heart failure, peripheral edema, and chronic anticoagulation side effects may each warrant separate ratings.