What happens during a C&P exam for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm?

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (DC 7110) is rated at 10%, 30%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110. Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or continuous medication required.

Q: What rates 10% for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110 (DC 7110), a 10% rating for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm requires: Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or continuous medication required.

Q: What rates 30% for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110 (DC 7110), a 30% rating for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm requires: Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on EKG, echocardiogram, or X-ray.

Q: What rates 60% for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110 (DC 7110), a 60% rating for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm requires: More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year; or workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.

Q: What rates 100% for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110 (DC 7110), a 100% rating for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm requires: Chronic congestive heart failure; or workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm VA claim?

Key evidence for a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm claim includes: 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. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 7110 | 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.104 (Cardiovascular system) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7110 of 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7110 across 4 severity tiers (10% / 30% / 60% / 100%). 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.

OVERVIEW

Aneurysm of the thoracic (chest) portion of the aorta, potentially affecting the aortic valve and branches

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

10%

Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or continuous medication required.

30%

Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on EKG, echocardiogram, or X-ray.

60%

More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year; or workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.

100%

Chronic congestive heart failure; or workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

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

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.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.104 (Cardiovascular system). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.104 on eCFR → Cornell Law mirror → 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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