EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Coronary Artery Disease
DC 7005 | 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7005 |
Coronary Artery Disease is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7005 of 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7005 across 3 severity tiers (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Heart Failure or Myocardial Infarction under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerotic plaque, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis
Severe limitation of motion or ankylosis of the affected joint. Specific percentages depend on the joint and whether dominant/non-dominant.
20% -- Moderate limitation
Moderate limitation of motion with significant functional impairment. DeLuca factors may increase the effective rating.
10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion
Mild limitation of motion, or X-ray evidence of arthritis with painful motion under DC 5003.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (10 MAPPED)
DC
Reduced blood supply weakens heart muscle
DC
Blocked coronary arteries cause heart attacks
DC
Ischemia disrupts heart electrical system
DC
Cardiac disease commonly causes depression
DC
Fear of cardiac events causes chronic anxiety
DC
Vascular disease affects blood flow; medications contribute
DC
Reduced cardiac output causes persistent fatigue
DC
Ischemia affects electrical conduction
DC
Chronic illness and mortality awareness
DC
Fear of cardiac events
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026