Rheumatic Heart Disease

DC 7001Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7001

Heart valve damage caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory condition that can develop after untreated strep throat. The VA rates rheumatic heart disease based on your heart workload capacity measured in METs, whether you have congestive heart failure, and your left ventricular ejection fraction.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on the type, severity, and frequency of your symptoms. The examiner will evaluate your specific symptoms and how they affect your daily life and ability to work.

Diagnostic code

DC 7001

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.104, DC 7001. 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 with 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 valvular dysfunction requiring surgical consideration
Ongoing heart failure management

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the original rheumatic fever episode — service treatment records showing strep throat or rheumatic fever in service are critical for establishing service connection.
⚠Not getting serial echocardiograms to document progressive valve damage — rheumatic heart disease often worsens over time, and before-and-after imaging supports a higher rating.
⚠Not requesting METs testing — even if you cannot exercise, the examiner can estimate METs based on your reported activity limitations, which directly determines the rating.
⚠Not connecting secondary conditions — rheumatic heart disease can cause atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke, each potentially ratable separately.

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…

Rheumatic Heart Disease

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on the type, severity, and frequency of your symptoms. The examiner will evaluate your specific symptoms and how they affect your daily life and ability to work.

Diagnostic code

DC 7001

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

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.

What the VA looks for

Chronic congestive heart failure
Workload capacity of 3 METs or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Severe valvular dysfunction requiring surgical consideration
Ongoing heart failure management

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the original rheumatic fever episode — service treatment records showing strep throat or rheumatic fever in service are critical for establishing service connection.

⚠Not getting serial echocardiograms to document progressive valve damage — rheumatic heart disease often worsens over time, and before-and-after imaging supports a higher rating.

⚠Not requesting METs testing — even if you cannot exercise, the examiner can estimate METs based on your reported activity limitations, which directly determines the rating.

⚠Not connecting secondary conditions — rheumatic heart disease can cause atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke, each potentially ratable separately.