Evidence checklist
Congestive Heart Failure
Evidence strength
Mark what you already have below and your evidence strength appears here.
Specialist opinion
Highest value0 of 4 collectedEchocardiography documents wall motion and chamber dilation. Under the General Rating Formula, cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent imaging is its own route to 30%. Ejection fraction was removed from the General Rating Formula when 38 CFR 4.104 was amended effective November 2021 and no longer sets a percentage. What the echocardiogram still establishes is cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation, which is its own route to 30% with no METs score needed.
Not marked
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or NT-proBNP levels are objective biomarkers of heart failure severity. Elevated values corroborate active CHF and symptom burden.
Not marked
Stress test or cardiopulmonary exercise test documenting the workload at which heart failure symptoms appear. METs level is the primary rating driver: 3.0 METs or less = 100%, 3.1-5.0 METs = 60%, 5.1-7.0 METs = 30%, and 7.1-10.0 METs (or continuous medication required for control) = 10%.
Not marked
A medical opinion connecting CHF to service-connected CAD, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, or direct service-related cause. Agent Orange exposure may establish presumptive ischemic heart disease leading to CHF.
Not marked
Treatment records
0 of 2 collectedRecords from inpatient admissions for fluid overload, acute decompensation, or IV diuretic therapy. Frequent hospitalizations support higher ratings.
Not marked
Serial cardiology notes documenting NYHA functional class, symptom trajectory, medication adjustments, and response to treatment.
Not marked
Lay statements
0 of 2 collectedA written statement from someone who can describe observable symptoms and how your condition affects daily life.
Not marked
Your own written account of how this condition affects your daily activities, work, and relationships. Describe your worst days.
Not marked
Benefits questionnaire
0 of 1 collectedStandardized form capturing EF, BNP, METs, NYHA class, and functional limitations from congestive heart failure.
Not marked
Service records
0 of 1 collectedMilitary medical records showing in-service treatment, complaints, or injuries related to this condition.
Not marked
What you mark here is saved in this browser, on this device only — not to an account. Changing the target rating shows different items, but never loses what you have already marked.