---
title: "DC 7001 - Endocarditis"
diagnostic_code: "7001"
body_system: "Cardiovascular System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.104"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/cardiovascular/7001-endocarditis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:42:03.769134Z"
---

# DC 7001 - Endocarditis

Rated under § 4.104. Body system: Cardiovascular System.

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | During active infection with cardiac involvement and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active infection |

## Notes

- Note (1): Evaluate cor pulmonale, which is a form of secondary heart disease, as part of the pulmonary condition that causes it.
- Note (2): One MET (metabolic equivalent) is the energy cost of standing quietly at rest and represents an oxygen uptake of 3.5 milliliters per kilogram of body weight per minute. When the level of METs at which breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope develops is required for evaluation, and a laboratory determination of METs by exercise testing cannot be done for medical reasons, a medical examiner may estimate the level of activity (expressed in METs and supported by specific examples, such as slow stair climbing or shoveling snow) that results in those symptoms.
- Note (3): For this general formula, heart failure symptoms include, but are not limited to, breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope.

# Endocarditis (VA Diagnostic Code 7001)

*Cardiovascular System · 38 CFR § 4.104 · Rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart*

## What This Condition Is

Endocarditis is a condition affecting the heart. Under VA regulations, it is rated using the **General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart** and falls within the **Cardiovascular System** body system.

Because this condition can involve an active infection with cardiac involvement, the VA rating criteria address the period during that active infection and the recovery time that follows.

## Available Rating Level

The rating schedule for Endocarditis (Diagnostic Code 7001) provides the following level:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **100%** | During active infection with cardiac involvement, and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active infection |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating Endocarditis, the VA considers whether there is an **active infection with cardiac involvement**. The 100% level applies during that active infection and continues **for three months following the cessation of therapy** for the active infection.

### Important Notes That Apply to This Rating

- **Cor pulmonale:** Cor pulmonale is a form of secondary heart disease. It is evaluated as part of the pulmonary condition that causes it.

- **Understanding METs (metabolic equivalents):** One MET is the energy cost of standing quietly at rest and represents an oxygen uptake of 3.5 milliliters per kilogram of body weight per minute. When an evaluation requires the level of METs at which symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope develop, and a laboratory determination of METs by exercise testing cannot be done for medical reasons, a medical examiner may estimate the level of activity (expressed in METs and supported by specific examples, such as slow stair climbing or shoveling snow) that results in those symptoms.

- **Heart failure symptoms:** For this general formula, heart failure symptoms include, but are not limited to, breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope.

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*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.104. It is provided for general educational purposes and describes the rating criteria as written.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104