---
title: "DC 7003 - Pericardial adhesions."
diagnostic_code: "7003"
body_system: "Cardiovascular System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.104"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/cardiovascular/7003-pericardial-adhesions"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:42:46.432930Z"
---

# DC 7003 - Pericardial adhesions.

Rated under § 4.104. Body system: Cardiovascular System.

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms |
| 60% | Workload of 3.1-5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms |
| 30% | Workload of 5.1-7.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent (e.g., multigated acquisition scan or magnetic resonance imaging) |
| 10% | Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control |

# Pericardial Adhesions (VA Diagnostic Code 7003)

## Understanding This Cardiovascular Condition

Pericardial adhesions is a cardiovascular condition rated by the VA under **Diagnostic Code 7003**, found in **§ 4.104**. It is evaluated using the **General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart**.

Because this condition affects the heart, the VA measures how it impacts your body's ability to handle physical activity. A key part of this evaluation is a measurement called **METs** (metabolic equivalents), which reflects the level of physical workload your heart can tolerate before heart failure symptoms appear. Lower METs values indicate that symptoms occur at lower levels of exertion.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating based on the criteria below.

### 100% Rating
- Workload of **3.0 METs or less** results in heart failure symptoms.

### 60% Rating
- Workload of **3.1–5.0 METs** results in heart failure symptoms.

### 30% Rating
- Workload of **5.1–7.0 METs** results in heart failure symptoms; **or**
- Evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent (e.g., multigated acquisition scan or magnetic resonance imaging).

### 10% Rating
- Workload of **7.1–10.0 METs** results in heart failure symptoms; **or**
- Continuous medication required for control.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating pericardial adhesions under Diagnostic Code 7003, the VA considers:

- **Exercise tolerance measured in METs** — the level of physical workload at which heart failure symptoms occur. This is the primary factor across every rating level.
- **Diagnostic imaging evidence** — for the 30% level, evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by an echocardiogram or an equivalent test such as a multigated acquisition scan or magnetic resonance imaging.
- **Medication requirements** — for the 10% level, whether continuous medication is required to control the condition.

Ratings are assigned according to the specific criteria met under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart.

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