VASRD 7115 · Cardiovascular / Vascular
Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) VA Disability Rating
Buerger's disease is a rare condition causing inflammation and clotting in the small and medium blood vessels of the hands and feet, strongly associated with tobacco use, and it can lead to severe pain and, in advanced cases, tissue loss. Documenting your smoking and tobacco history, even though it's not something to hide, is actually relevant evidence since this disease is so closely tied to it.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Deep ischemic ulcers and tissue death in the fingers, with persistent coldness, trophic changes and weak pulses in the arm |
| 60% | Persistent coldness, trophic changes with pain in the hands on activity, and weak pulses — without ulceration or necrosis |
| 40% | Trophic changes with numbness and tingling at the fingertips, plus weak pulses |
| 20% | Weakened pulses in the arm |
How the VA Evaluates Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)
Circulatory impairment, pain, presence of gangrene, tissue changes, confirmed diagnosis.
Approval outlook
Moderate (~65%)
Veterans service-connected
~150 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~60%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Vascular imaging (angiography) confirming the vessel involvement.
- •Vascular surgery reports.
Strategy Tips
- •Document symptom progression clearly over time, since this rare disease's rating depends heavily on showing how it has worsened.
- •Include your smoking history and any environmental toxin exposure, since these are directly relevant to establishing this specific diagnosis.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •No confirmation of smoking history, which is relevant to this specific diagnosis.
- •Symptoms being attributed to a different, more common circulatory condition.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Failing to connect the condition to military exposure or field conditions where relevant.
Onset Patterns
- •Buerger's disease is strongly associated with heavy tobacco use, and can also be linked to environmental toxin exposure.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Amputation
Severe tissue damage
Depression
Chronic pain and disability
Common questions about Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)
- Is Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) under VASRD diagnostic code 7115 (Cardiovascular / Vascular). Buerger's disease is a rare condition causing inflammation and clotting in the small and medium blood vessels of the hands and feet, strongly associated with tobacco use, and it can lead to se…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)?
- Possible VA ratings for Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) are 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%. Examples: 100%: Deep ischemic ulcers and tissue death in the fingers, with persistent coldness, trophic changes and weak pulses in the arm; 60%: Persistent coldness, trophic changes with pain in the hands on activity, and w…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) at around 60%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 150 veterans are service-connected for Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease). Estimated approval outlook: Moderate (~65%).
- What evidence helps prove Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) claim includes: Vascular imaging (angiography) confirming the vessel involvement.; Vascular surgery reports..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease): Failing to connect the condition to military exposure or field conditions where relevant..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease) include: Amputation, Depression. 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 7115)
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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