VASRD 7005 · Cardiovascular System
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) VA Disability Rating
Coronary artery disease is the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, usually from plaque buildup, which can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and fatigue with exertion. It's a PACT Act presumptive condition for many Vietnam-era veterans with qualifying Agent Orange exposure.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Heart failure symptoms appear at the lowest workload the schedule measures — 3.0 METs or less. |
| 60% | Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 3.1 and 5.0 METs. |
| 30% | Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 5.1 and 7.0 METs, or imaging confirms the heart is thickened or enlarged — either one on its own is enough. |
| 10% | Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 7.1 and 10.0 METs, or continuous medication is required to control it — either one on its own is enough. |
How the VA Evaluates Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
The VA rates CAD almost entirely on METs (metabolic equivalents) - a measurement of how much exertion triggers symptoms like chest pain, dyspnea, or fatigue - along with echocardiogram or catheterization findings and any history of congestive heart failure. A lower METs threshold (meaning symptoms appear with less exertion) means a higher rating.
Approval outlook
High – especially for Vietnam-era vets due to presumptive status.
Veterans service-connected
266,518 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~30%
Veterans service-connected count from the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), as of September 30, 2025. Approval outlook and typical rating are Vetrify editorial estimates — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Cardiology reports, EKGs, and - most importantly - a documented METs test, since that's the specific measurement the rating schedule uses.
- •Echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization results confirming the diagnosis and severity of arterial narrowing.
- •Hospital or ER records documenting chest pain, angina episodes, or related cardiac events.
Strategy Tips
- •Make sure a formal METs test is part of your evidence, since the rating schedule is built directly around METs thresholds - without it, the rating can default lower than the condition actually warrants.
- •Note specifically if symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue) occur with only minor activity, since that detail is what separates the higher rating tiers from the lower ones.
- •If you served in Vietnam, Thailand, or along the Korean DMZ during the qualifying period, connect your claim to Agent Orange presumptive service connection rather than relying only on direct causation.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Skipping or not requesting a METs test - without it, the C&P examiner has less objective basis to assign anything above the lowest compensable tier.
- •Relying on a diagnosis alone without imaging or catheterization data to confirm and quantify the extent of the artery narrowing.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Describing chest pain or fatigue without connecting it to a specific diagnosed cardiac event or exam finding, which makes it harder for a rater to link the symptom to CAD specifically.
- •Submitting incomplete cardiac testing data - a partial workup often results in the VA defaulting to a lower rating than the full picture would support.
Onset Patterns
- •CAD often doesn't become symptomatic until years or decades after service, as arterial plaque builds up gradually over time.
- •Veterans in high-stress roles or with documented herbicide exposure sometimes see symptoms emerge earlier than the general population, which is part of why Agent Orange exposure is treated as presumptive for this condition.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Hypertension
Often coexists and worsens CAD
Heart Failure
Result of untreated or severe CAD
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) under VASRD diagnostic code 7005 (Cardiovascular System). Coronary artery disease is the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, usually from plaque buildup, which can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and fatigue with exertion. It's a PAC…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
- Possible VA ratings for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) are 100%, 60%, 30%, 10%. Examples: 100%: Heart failure symptoms appear at the lowest workload the schedule measures — 3.0 METs or less.; 60%: Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload between 3.1 and 5.0 METs.; 30%: Heart failure symptoms appear at a workload bet…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. Per the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), 266,518 veterans were receiving VA compensation for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) as of September 30, 2025. Estimated approval outl…
- What evidence helps prove Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) claim includes: Cardiology reports, EKGs, and - most importantly - a documented METs test, since that's the specific measurement the rating schedule uses.; Echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization results confirming the diagnosis and severity of arterial narrowing.;…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Describing chest pain or fatigue without connecting it to a specific diagnosed cardiac event or exam finding, which makes it harder for a rater to link the symptom to CAD specifically.; Submitting incomplete cardiac testing data - a partial workup often re…
- Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) a presumptive condition for VA benefits?
- Yes, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is recognized as a presumptive condition. Presumptive for Vietnam-era veterans.
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) include: Hypertension, Heart Failure. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.104 — Schedule of ratings — cardiovascular system (Diagnostic Code 7005)
- VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025) — veterans service-connected count, as of September 30, 2025
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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