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Cardiac Arrhythmia VA Disability Rating
DC 7010 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.104 | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2.D
OVERVIEW
Cardiac arrhythmias are rated under DC 7010 (supraventricular tachycardia, including atrial fibrillation) or DC 7011 (ventricular arrhythmias) at 38 C.F.R. § 4.104. SVT rating is based on treatment interventions per year (cardioversion, IV medications, or ablation). Ventricular arrhythmias with AICD placement or hospitalization rate 100%.
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
100% — Ventricular arrhythmia requiring AICD or hospitalization (DC 7011)
For indefinite period from inpatient hospital admission for sustained ventricular arrhythmia; or following ventricular aneurysmectomy; or with AICD in place.
30% — SVT with 5+ treatment interventions per year (DC 7010)
Supraventricular tachycardia confirmed by ECG, with 5 or more treatment interventions per year. A treatment intervention requires IV pharmacologic adjustment, cardioversion, or ablation.
10% — SVT with 1-4 interventions or continuous medication (DC 7010)
SVT confirmed by ECG, with 1-4 treatment interventions per year; OR continuous oral medication; OR use of vagal maneuvers to control.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-ECG or Holter monitor documenting arrhythmia type
-Records of cardioversion, ablation, or AICD placement
-Emergency visits or hospitalizations for arrhythmia
-Medication list (antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants)
-Documentation of treatment interventions count per year
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (3 MAPPED)
DC 7007
Atrial fibrillation causes and complicates heart failure — rate separately.
DC 8007/8008
Atrial fibrillation causes embolic strokes — rate stroke residuals separately.
DC 9434/9413
Arrhythmia causes significant anxiety and depression — independently ratable.
C&P EXAM TIPS (4)
1.Count your treatment interventions per year precisely — 5 or more = 30%, 1-4 = 10%.
2.Any AICD placement automatically qualifies for DC 7011 at 100%.
3.Atrial fibrillation is SVT rated under DC 7010 — ensure examiner uses this code, not generic cardiovascular code.
4.If ablation resolved arrhythmia, rate the residuals or period of active disease.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
38 C.F.R. § 4.104, DC 7010 Note (2)
A treatment intervention occurs whenever a symptomatic patient requires intravenous pharmacologic adjustment, cardioversion, or ablation. Routine oral medication management is not a treatment intervention for counting purposes.
DOLLAR IMPACT
AICD placement: 100% = $3,938.58/mo. AFib with 5+ cardioversions/year: 30% = $524.31/mo. Arrhythmia combined with service-connected hypertension or IHD frequently pushes combined ratings to 50-70%.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026