Arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) DC 7005
VA rates it under diagnostic code 7005 in 38 CFR 4.104. Body system: Heart & blood pressure.
Also searched as: coronary artery disease, CAD, ischemic heart disease, IHD, heart disease.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 4 rating levels for this code: 10%, 30%, 60%, and 100%. VA picks the level whose criteria best match your symptoms and records.
Rated under the general rating formula for diseases of the heart (§ 4.104).
Source: 38 CFR 4.104 on eCFR. Read the full criteria there before you file.
Rating levels and criteria
This code is rated under the GENERAL RATING FORMULA FOR DISEASES OF THE HEART (38 CFR 4.104).
| Rating | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| 100% | Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms |
| 60% | Workload of 3.1-5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms |
| 30% | 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% | Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control |
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.104, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
Notes in the schedule (1)
Note: If non-service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease is superimposed on service-connected valvular or other non-arteriosclerotic heart disease, request a medical opinion as to which condition is causing the current signs and symptoms.
Commonly claimed as secondary to
If one of these is already service connected, you may be able to claim this condition as secondary to it.
Complete amputation, lower extremity DC 5160 Established link
VA's own rule says heart disease that develops after a service-connected leg amputation at or above the knee is caused by the amputation.
What to gather: A diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other heart disease. No nexus opinion is needed under 38 CFR 3.310(c), unless there is clear evidence against it.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310(c) (heart disease after leg amputation)
Diabetes (type 2) DC 7913 Established link
High blood sugar damages blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart, which leads to heart disease.
What to gather: A coronary artery disease diagnosis and a medical opinion linking it to your diabetes.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310 (secondary service connection); NIDDK (NIH): Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke; 38 CFR 4.104
Leg, amputation of: at a lower level, permitting prosthesis DC 5165 Established link
If both legs were amputated above the ankle because of service, VA's rule says later heart disease is caused by the amputations. One below-knee amputation alone does not qualify.
What to gather: Service connection for amputations of both legs above the ankle, plus a diagnosis of heart disease.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310(c) (heart disease after leg amputation)
Thigh, amputation of: middle or lower thirds DC 5162 Established link
VA's own rule says heart disease that develops after a service-connected leg amputation at or above the knee is caused by the amputation.
What to gather: A diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other heart disease. No nexus opinion is needed under 38 CFR 3.310(c), unless there is clear evidence against it.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310(c) (heart disease after leg amputation)
Thigh, amputation of: upper third DC 5161 Established link
VA's own rule says heart disease that develops after a service-connected leg amputation at or above the knee is caused by the amputation.
What to gather: A diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other heart disease. No nexus opinion is needed under 38 CFR 3.310(c), unless there is clear evidence against it.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310(c) (heart disease after leg amputation)
With defective stump, thigh amputation recommended DC 5163 Established link
VA's own rule says heart disease that develops after a service-connected leg amputation at or above the knee is caused by the amputation.
What to gather: A diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other heart disease. No nexus opinion is needed under 38 CFR 3.310(c), unless there is clear evidence against it.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310(c) (heart disease after leg amputation)
Presumptive rules that include it
If your service matches one of these, VA presumes the link to service and you do not need a medical opinion connecting it.
Agent Orange and herbicides
Covered: Ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease and past heart attack.
Who qualifies: Any length of service in Vietnam, on its inland waterways, or within 12 nautical miles offshore (January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975); at a U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand (January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976); in Laos (December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969); at Mimot or Krek, Cambodia (April 16 to 30, 1969); on Guam or American Samoa or their waters (January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980); on Johnston Atoll or a ship that called there (January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977); in or near the Korean DMZ (September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971); with regular duty on C-123 aircraft that carried Agent Orange; or handling, testing, or storing Agent Orange.
38 CFR 3.307(a)(6) and 3.309(e). Sources: 38 CFR 3.307; 38 CFR 3.309; VA.gov: Agent Orange exposure and disability compensation; VA.gov: The PACT Act and your VA benefits
Former prisoners of war (any length)
Covered: Atherosclerotic heart disease and its complications.
Who qualifies: Any length of time held as a prisoner of war. The condition must reach at least 10% disabling at any time after service.
38 CFR 3.309(c)(1). Sources: 38 CFR 3.309; VA.gov: Benefits for former prisoners of war
Chronic diseases that show up within a year of discharge
Covered: Arteriosclerosis and organic heart disease.
Time limit: At least 10% disabling within 1 year of discharge.
Who qualifies: 90 days or more of continuous active service during a war period or after December 31, 1946, and the disease reached at least 10% disabling within 1 year of leaving service (3 years for tuberculosis and Hansen's disease, 7 years for multiple sclerosis).
38 CFR 3.307(a)(3) and 3.309(a). Sources: 38 CFR 3.307; 38 CFR 3.309; VA M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B: Conditions of the auditory system
Related medications
Medications that can cause or worsen it
If you take one of these for a service-connected condition, this condition may be claimable as secondary to that condition. You need a diagnosis, your prescription records, and a medical opinion.
NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory pain relievers) (for example ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, diclofenac) Established link
NSAIDs have a boxed warning for heart attack and other heart events.
Sources: FDA label: Meloxicam (DailyMed)
Medications prescribed for it
A prescription shows the condition was diagnosed. It still needs its own link to service.
Show 12 medications
- Angina medicines (for example nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, ranolazine). FDA labels: Nitroglycerin (DailyMed)
- Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia). FDA labels: Amlodipine (DailyMed)
- Atenolol (Tenormin). FDA labels: Atenolol (DailyMed)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix). FDA labels: Clopidogrel (DailyMed)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac). FDA labels: Diltiazem (DailyMed)
- Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol). FDA labels: Metoprolol (DailyMed)
- Nadolol (Corgard). FDA labels: Nadolol (DailyMed)
- Nifedipine (Procardia). FDA labels: Nifedipine (DailyMed)
- Prasugrel (Effient). FDA labels: Prasugrel (DailyMed)
- Propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran). FDA labels: Propranolol (DailyMed)
- Ticagrelor (Brilinta). FDA labels: Ticagrelor (DailyMed)
- Verapamil (Calan, Verelan). FDA labels: Verapamil (DailyMed)
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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