VA Disability Rating for Heart Disease

Q: How do METs scores affect my heart disease rating?

METs (Metabolic Equivalents) are a key measure VA uses to rate heart conditions. They show how much activity you can do before getting symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain. The lower your METs score, the higher your rating might be. For example, if you get symptoms with METs of 3-5 (like light yard work or slow walking), you might qualify for a 60% rating. VA will usually use your lowest documented METs score.

Q: Can I get a heart disease rating without a heart attack?

Yes. VA rates many heart conditions that haven't caused a heart attack, including coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, and irregular heartbeat. What matters is having a clear diagnosis, evidence linking it to service, and medical records showing how severe your condition is. You don't need to have had a heart attack to qualify for significant benefits.

Q: What if my heart medicine makes me feel better?

VA must rate you based on your condition's severity both with and without medication. If you need daily medication to prevent serious symptoms, that should be considered in your rating - even if the medicine controls your symptoms well. Make sure your records show what happens when you're not on medication or if you miss doses.

Q: How does VA rate heart conditions with multiple problems?

If you have more than one heart condition, VA usually assigns one rating based on your most severe symptoms. They look at all your heart problems together and rate them under the condition that gives you the highest possible rating. For example, if you have both coronary artery disease and a heart valve problem, they'll rate whichever condition results in the higher benefit.

Living with heart disease is more than just a medical condition – it’s a daily battle that affects everything you do. When each breath feels like a struggle and simple tasks leave you exhausted, you need more than just medical care. You need the VA benefits you deserve.

But here’s the reality many veterans face: The VA’s rating system for heart conditions is incredibly complex, filled with medical terms and testing requirements that can leave your head spinning. Many veterans receive lower ratings than they deserve simply because they don’t understand how the VA evaluates heart conditions.

Let’s cut through the confusion and explain exactly what you need to know to get the proper rating for your service-connected heart disease.

Types of Heart Disease

Heart disease isn’t just one condition. The VA recognizes several types, and knowing which one you have is crucial for your claim:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Also called ischemic heart disease, this is the most common type. It happens when your heart’s blood vessels become narrow or blocked. If you were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam or certain other locations, the VA automatically considers CAD service-connected.

Hypertensive Heart Disease

This develops when high blood pressure forces your heart to work harder than normal. While hypertension itself has a separate rating, the heart damage it causes can qualify for additional compensation.

Valvular Heart Disease

This affects how blood flows through your heart’s chambers. Whether from rheumatic fever during service or other causes, the VA rates it based on how it impacts your daily activities.

How the VA Measures Heart Disease Severity

The VA uses several key tests to determine your rating:

METs Testing

METs (Metabolic Equivalents) measure how much energy your heart uses during activities:

1-3 METs: Difficulty with basic self-care
4-5 METs: Light housework becomes challenging
6-7 METs: Moderate activities cause symptoms
8+ METs: Less severe limitation

Your METs score significantly influences your rating, but it’s not the only factor.

Additional Testing

The VA also considers:

Ejection fraction measurements
EKG results
Stress test findings
Heart size on imaging
Evidence of heart failure

VA Disability Ratings for Heart Disease

The VA assigns ratings of 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100% for heart conditions:

100% Rating

You’ll qualify if you have:

Chronic congestive heart failure
METs score of 3 or less
Left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30%
Inability to perform daily activities without symptoms

60% Rating

Awarded when you experience:

More than one episode of acute heart failure per year
METs score between 3 and 5
Ejection fraction of 30-50%
Unable to perform moderate activities

30% Rating

Given when testing shows:

METs score of 5-7
Evidence of cardiac enlargement
Dyspnea, fatigue, or angina with moderate exertion

10% Rating

Minimum rating if you:

Require continuous medication
Have documented coronary artery disease
Show symptoms with strenuous activity

Special Rating Situations

Temporary 100% Ratings

The VA provides temporary total ratings for:

Heart attack (3 months)
Bypass surgery (3 months)
Heart valve replacement (6 months)
Pacemaker placement (2 months)
Heart transplant (1 year)

Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)

If you need an ICD, you automatically qualify for a permanent 100% rating.

Proving Service Connection for Heart Disease

Success often depends on showing how your heart condition connects to service:

Direct Service Connection

Show your condition:

Started during service
Was caused by service activities
Worsened during service

Presumptive Service Connection

Automatic if you have:

CAD and Agent Orange exposure
Heart disease within one year of discharge
Certain POW-related heart conditions

Secondary Service Connection

Your heart condition might be caused by:

Service-connected diabetes
PTSD
Hypertension
Other service-connected conditions

Critical Evidence for Your VA Disability Claim

Getting the right VA disability rating for heart disease depends on having strong medical evidence that shows exactly how your condition affects you. Here’s what you need to document your case:

Medical Evidence

Gather:

All cardiac test results
Treatment records
Medication history
Hospital records
Doctor’s statements about severity

Impact Evidence

Document how heart disease affects your:

Daily activities
Work ability
Exercise capacity
Quality of life

Proper documentation is crucial for showing VA the true impact of your heart condition. The better you can prove both your medical situation and how it affects your daily life, the more accurately VA can rate your disability. Make sure you’re collecting and saving all your medical records and keeping track of how your condition limits your activities.

Need Help With Your VA Heart Disease Decision?

Heart disease ratings are among the most complex in the VA system. A single misinterpreted test result or METs score could mean thousands in lost benefits. If you’ve received a VA decision that denied your claim or gave you a low rating, you need experienced help to appeal.

At ProVet Legal, we focus exclusively on VA appeals. We know exactly what evidence VA needs to see and how to present it effectively to win heart disease cases. If you’re unhappy with VA’s decision about your heart condition, contact us for a free review of your case. Our experienced appeals team will examine your decision and help you understand your options.

COMMON VA DISABILITY CLAIMS

Tinnitus
Hearing Loss
Limitation of Flexion of the Knee
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain
Scars, General
Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (Sciatica)
Limitation of Range of Motion of the Ankle
Migraines (Headaches)
Limitation of Motion of the Arm

Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine
Sleep Apnea
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Major Depressive Disorder
Asthma
Diabetes Type 2
Cancer
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Pes Planus (Flat Feet)
Radiculopathy

Adjustment Disorder
Somatic Symptom Disorder (Chronic Pain Syndrome)
Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease (GERD)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Erectile Dysfunction
Plantar Fasciitis
Arthritis
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Fibromyalgia
Eczema
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Sinusitis
Meniere's Syndrome
Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
Chronic Conjunctivitis
Limited Motion of the Jaw (Temporomandibular Disorder)
Hiatal Hernia

Hemorrhoids
Varicose Veins
Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones)
Hypothyroidism
Anemia
Peripheral Neuropathy
Prostate Gland Injuries
Ischemic Heart Disease
Vertigo
Urinary Incontinence

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do METs scores affect my heart disease rating?

Can I get a heart disease rating without a heart attack?

What if my heart medicine makes me feel better?

How does VA rate heart conditions with multiple problems?

Many veterans earned disability benefits, we make sure they get them.

I founded ProVet Legal, P.A. to provide top-notch service to veterans and their families seeking disability and survivor benefits from the VA. My mission with ProVet Legal is deeply personal. I am the granddaughter of three veterans, including my maternal grandmother, who served in the Waves before women were able to join the Navy. I met my husband in Afghanistan when I served with the U.S. Department of State to support our military’s efforts with Operation Enduring Freedom.

I understand the physical and mental stresses of training and deployment, as well as the unparalleled sense of purpose and camaraderie that can only be forged in a combat zone. When my husband retired, I got accredited with the VA’s Office of General Counsel to represent Veterans with Service-Connected Disability claims. I began by helping my husband and some of his buddies navigate the VA claims process. I quickly realized that the benefits system is complex and can be confusing, even for an attorney.

Veterans navigating it on their own can get lost in all the paperwork and often walk away from benefits they deserve out of frustration or fear that the VA might take away what they have already won. Since 2019, I have been representing veterans and their families full-time, successfully helping hundreds of veterans win their VA claims. I take pride in helping veterans tell their stories in a way that the VA will understand and appreciate. I look forward to the opportunities to continue to serve those who have risked everything to serve our country.