---
title: "DC 7002 - Pericarditis"
diagnostic_code: "7002"
body_system: "Cardiovascular System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.104"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/cardiovascular/7002-pericarditis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:42:26.189503Z"
---

# DC 7002 - Pericarditis

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.

# Pericarditis (VA Diagnostic Code 7002)

## Understanding Your Pericarditis Rating

Pericarditis is a condition affecting the **Cardiovascular System**. The VA evaluates it under **Diagnostic Code 7002** in **§ 4.104**, using the **General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart**.

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## What Is Pericarditis?

Pericarditis is a heart-related condition rated as part of the cardiovascular system. When rating conditions under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart, the VA considers heart failure symptoms, which include—but are not limited to—**breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope**.

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## Available Rating Level

The VA assigns the following disability rating for pericarditis:

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

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## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating pericarditis, the VA reviews:

- **Active infection with cardiac involvement.** A 100% rating applies during an active infection with cardiac involvement and continues for three months after therapy for the active infection has ended.

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

- **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 the level of METs at which symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope develop 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.

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## Important Notes

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

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*This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the rating criteria described in § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7002. Individual evaluations depend on the specific facts of your case.*

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