What are the VA rating percentages for Peripheral Edema?

Peripheral Edema (DC 7120) is rated at 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120. Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest

What rates 100% for Peripheral Edema under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120 (DC 7120), a 100% rating for Peripheral Edema requires: Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest

What rates 60% for Peripheral Edema under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120 (DC 7120), a 60% rating for Peripheral Edema requires: Persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration

What rates 40% for Peripheral Edema under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120 (DC 7120), a 40% rating for Peripheral Edema requires: Persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration

What rates 0% for Peripheral Edema under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120 (DC 7120), a 0% rating for Peripheral Edema requires: Asymptomatic palpable or visible varicose veins

What happens during a C&P exam for Peripheral Edema?

Your rating turns on your METs level (38 CFR 4.104) - request an exercise stress test, or ask for an interview-based METs estimate (supported by examples like slow stair-climbing or shoveling snow) if you cannot exercise safely. Note (3) counts breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope as heart failure symptoms - describe exactly which ones develop and at what activity level.

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Peripheral Edema

Q: What rates 20% for Peripheral Edema under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120 (DC 7120), a 20% rating for Peripheral Edema requires: Persistent edema, incompletely relieved by elevation of extremity, with or without beginning stasis pigmentation or eczema

Q: What rates 10% for Peripheral Edema under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120 (DC 7120), a 10% rating for Peripheral Edema requires: Intermittent edema of extremity or aching and fatigue in leg after prolonged standing or walking, with symptoms relieved by elevation of extremity or compression hosiery

Q: What evidence do I need for a Peripheral Edema VA claim?

Key evidence for a Peripheral Edema claim includes: Exercise stress test results, or an interview-based METs estimate when testing is medically contraindicated; Echocardiogram report showing ejection fraction (%) and any cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation; ECG/EKG, MUGA scan, or cardiac MRI confirming the cardiac diagnosis; Cardiology notes documenting heart failure symptoms and the workload at which they occur; Complete cardiac medication list, including any continuous medication required for control. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 712038 C.F.R. § 4.104

Diagnostic Code

DC 7120

38 C.F.R. § 4.104

Rating Range

0–100%

6 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Peripheral Edema is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7120 of 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7120 across 6 severity tiers (100% / 60% / 40% / 20% / 10%…). 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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Chronic swelling of the extremities, usually the legs, due to fluid accumulation from venous or cardiac causes

Rating Criteria

100%

Massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest

60%

Persistent edema or subcutaneous induration, stasis pigmentation or eczema, and persistent ulceration

40%

Persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration

20%

Persistent edema, incompletely relieved by elevation of extremity, with or without beginning stasis pigmentation or eczema

10%

Intermittent edema of extremity or aching and fatigue in leg after prolonged standing or walking, with symptoms relieved by elevation of extremity or compression hosiery

Asymptomatic palpable or visible varicose veins

Key Evidence

—Exercise stress test results, or an interview-based METs estimate when testing is medically contraindicated

—Echocardiogram report showing ejection fraction (%) and any cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation

—ECG/EKG, MUGA scan, or cardiac MRI confirming the cardiac diagnosis

—Cardiology notes documenting heart failure symptoms and the workload at which they occur

—Complete cardiac medication list, including any continuous medication required for control

—Hospital/ER records for any episodes of acute congestive heart failure in the past year

C&P Exam Tips

1Your rating turns on your METs level (38 CFR 4.104) - request an exercise stress test, or ask for an interview-based METs estimate (supported by examples like slow stair-climbing or shoveling snow) if you cannot exercise safely.

2Note (3) counts breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope as heart failure symptoms - describe exactly which ones develop and at what activity level.

3Ask whether an echocardiogram documents cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation; that finding alone supports a 30% evaluation under the General Rating Formula.

4Continuous medication required for control supports the 10% minimum - bring your full cardiac medication list and confirm it is on the exam record.

5If you have hypertension, it is rated separately (DC 7101) on diastolic/systolic readings confirmed two or more times on at least three different days - bring a blood-pressure log.

6Report your worst days and how chest symptoms limit work, stairs, and daily activity; do not minimize on exam day.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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