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If you’ve been diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), understanding your CAD VA rating is key to getting the benefits you rightfully deserve.
The VA considers several factors, including your symptoms, objective test results, and how the condition affects your ability to work and function day to day.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or think your current rating is too low, this post breaks down how the VA rates CAD, what evidence you need, and how to service connect your condition.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- VA ratings for CAD range from 10% to 100% under the schedule of ratings for the cardiovascular system.
- A VA rating for coronary artery disease depends on the severity of your symptoms, test results, and how much the condition limits your daily activities.
- The VA uses METs to measure how much physical activity your heart can tolerate.
- Lower METs indicate more severe limitations and may qualify you for a higher disability rating.
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to your heart become hardened or narrowed due to plaque buildup.
This restricts blood flow and can lead to serious heart problems, like angina, heart attacks, or heart failure.
If you served in the military and now suffer from CAD, the VA may consider your condition service-connected depending on certain circumstances, especially if you were exposed to Agent Orange or other toxins.
How the VA Rates CAD
The VA rates CAD under § 4.104 Schedule of ratings—cardiovascular system. Your VA rating for CAD will depend on how your condition affects your heart’s ability to function.
VA ratings for CAD are as follows:
- 100% VA Rating: Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms
- 60% VA Rating: Workload of 3.1-5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms
- 30% VA Rating: Workload of 5.1-7.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent (e.g., multigated acquisition scan or magnetic resonance imaging)
- 10% VA Rating: Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control
Understanding METs
METs, or Metabolic Equivalents, measure how much energy your body uses during physical activity.
The lower your METs score, the less activity you can handle and the more severe your heart condition may be.
For VA purposes, METs are used to determine how limited your heart function is. For example:
- 1–3 METs: Symptoms with very light activity (like dressing or walking slowly).
- 3–5 METs: Symptoms with moderate activity (like light housework).
- 5–7 METs: Symptoms with more strenuous activity (like walking a few blocks).
Your doctor may use a stress test, or may estimate your METs based on your symptoms and activity limits if a stress test is not possible due to medical reasons.
How to Prove Service Connection
To qualify for a CAD VA rating, you must service-connect your condition.
For this, you’ll need the following three key elements:
- A current diagnosis
- An in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness
- A medical nexus (link) between the current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness.
Related Post: VA Service Connection Explained
(VIDEO) How to File a VA Claim Online Step-by-Step
The Power of Medical Evidence
To get the proper CAD VA rating, you need clear medical evidence that shows how severe your coronary artery disease is and how it affects your daily life.
Key documents include:
- Current diagnosis of coronary artery disease
- Cardiac test results like stress tests, echocardiograms, or METs levels
- Medical records showing the extent of your condition
- Doctor’s notes outlining symptoms and physical limitations
- Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) filled out by your doctor
- Nexus letter if CAD is secondary to another service-connected condition
Related Post: The POWER of Private Medical Evidence for Disability!
Is Coronary Artery Disease a Presumptive Condition?
Yes, CAD is a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
If you served in Vietnam, the Korean DMZ, certain Thailand bases, or other qualifying locations, the VA automatically assumes your CAD is service-connected; no need to prove a direct link.
Related Post: 5 VA Presumptive Heart Conditions
Coronary Artery Disease and TDIU
You may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if your coronary artery disease prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment and if you meet the specific requirements.
TDIU allows you to receive VA compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if your CAD is rated below 100%.
To qualify for TDIU, one of these must be true:
- You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, or
- You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
Related Post: VA TDIU Approval Rate
Conclusion
You may be eligible for a CAD VA rating if your coronary artery disease is linked to your military service, either directly or through a presumptive condition like Agent Orange exposure.
Knowing how the VA rates CAD, what evidence to submit, and how to prove service connection may make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation.
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(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VA rating for coronary artery disease?
The VA rating for coronary artery disease ranges from 10% to 100%, based on the severity of symptoms, level of physical activity you can handle (measured in METs), and medical evidence like test results or history of surgeries.
Is coronary artery disease a VA presumptive condition?
Yes, CAD is a presumptive condition for veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam, the Korean DMZ, Thailand, and other qualifying locations.
How does the VA determine my coronary artery disease VA rating?
The VA bases your rating on your METs level (a measure of how much activity your heart can handle), symptoms like fatigue, and any history of heart attacks, stents, or bypass surgery.
Can I get 100% VA disability for coronary artery disease?
Yes, if your condition causes chronic heart failure, severe symptoms with minimal exertion, or very low METs levels, you may qualify for a 100% disability rating.
What conditions are secondary to coronary artery disease?
Conditions that may be rated as secondary to coronary artery disease include heart failure, hypertension, and mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. If these are caused or aggravated by your CAD, you may qualify for secondary service connection and additional VA compensation.
Can I increase my CAD VA rating?
Yes. If your condition worsens or you feel you were underrated, you can file a new VA claim with updated medical evidence to request a higher rating. During the claim process, you can select which service-connected disabilities have worsened. See More: How to File for VA Disability Increase Online
Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
