VA Disability Rating for Pericarditis (DC 7002)
Diagnostic Code 7002 · 38 CFR §§4.104
What Is It?
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium — the thin sac surrounding the heart. It causes sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing and lying down, along with fever and fatigue. In veterans, pericarditis may develop from viral infections, autoimmune conditions, chest trauma, or after heart surgery. While many cases resolve with treatment, some become chronic or recurrent, and severe cases can cause fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion) or scarring that restricts the heart's ability to fill and pump (constrictive pericarditis).
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Assigned during active infection with cardiac involvement, and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active infection. Thereafter, with the diagnosis confirmed by physical examination and either echocardiogram, Doppler echocardiogram, or cardiac catheterization, the General Rating Formula applies: a workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms. Heart failure symptoms include, but are not limited to, breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope. |
| 60% | A workload of 3.1 to 5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms. |
| 30% | A workload of 5.1 to 7.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or there is evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, such as a multigated acquisition scan or magnetic resonance imaging. |
| 10% | A workload of 7.1 to 10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication is required for control. |
Evidence Needed
- Cardiology records documenting pericarditis episodes
- Echocardiogram showing pericardial effusion or constrictive changes
- Cardiac MRI if constrictive pericarditis is suspected
- Treatment records including anti-inflammatory medications
- Exercise stress test or METs estimation
C&P Exam Tips
- Bring the treatment records that show when therapy for the active infection ended — that date starts the three-month clock
- Bring imaging showing pericardial thickening, effusion, or constrictive changes
- Describe chest pain patterns and what triggers or worsens episodes
- List all medications including colchicine, NSAIDs, or steroids used
- If pericarditis followed chest trauma during service, connect the timeline
How to File
File under DC 7002 with cardiology records, imaging, and the treatment records that show when therapy for the active infection ended. If pericarditis resulted from chest trauma or infection during service, establish that connection. Once the total evaluation ends, the General Rating Formula sets the rating on the workload in METs at which heart failure symptoms develop.
Common Mistakes
Not documenting the date therapy for the active infection ended, which is when the three-month total starts running Failing to get imaging that shows constrictive changes or persistent effusion Not connecting pericarditis to chest trauma from service Accepting a low rating without METs testing to document exercise limitations
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pericarditis keep coming back?
Yes. Recurrent pericarditis is common, with episodes returning weeks to months after the initial event. DC 7002 does not rate on the number of recurrences, though: 100 percent applies during an active infection with cardiac involvement and for three months after therapy for it ends, and outside that window the General Rating Formula sets the rating on the workload in METs at which heart failure symptoms develop.
What is constrictive pericarditis?
When repeated inflammation causes the pericardium to become thick and stiff, it can constrict the heart and prevent it from filling properly. It matters to the rating through the General Rating Formula: constriction that lowers the workload you can sustain before heart failure symptoms develop is what moves the percentage.