---
title: "DC 7004 - Syphilitic heart disease"
diagnostic_code: "7004"
body_system: "Cardiovascular System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.104"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/cardiovascular/7004-syphilitic-heart-disease"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:43:07.289968Z"
---

# DC 7004 - Syphilitic heart disease

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 |

## Notes

- Note: Evaluate syphilitic aortic aneurysms under DC 7110 (Aortic aneurysm: Ascending, thoracic, abdominal).

# Syphilitic Heart Disease (VA Diagnostic Code 7004)

**Cardiovascular System · 38 CFR § 4.104**

## What This Condition Is

Syphilitic heart disease is a cardiovascular condition rated by the VA under Diagnostic Code 7004. Like other heart conditions in this part of the rating schedule, it is evaluated using the **General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart**.

This means the VA assigns a disability rating based largely on how your heart functions during physical activity — measured in **METs (metabolic equivalents)** — along with certain clinical findings and treatment needs.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following rating percentages based on documented findings:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **100%** | A workload of **3.0 METs or less** results in heart failure symptoms |
| **60%** | A workload of **3.1–5.0 METs** results in heart failure symptoms |
| **30%** | A 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 MRI) |
| **10%** | A 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 syphilitic heart disease, the VA reviews:

- **METs workload testing** — the level of physical exertion at which heart failure symptoms appear. Lower MET tolerance generally corresponds to a higher rating.
- **Diagnostic imaging** — evidence of **cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation** confirmed by echocardiogram or an equivalent study, such as a multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- **Treatment requirements** — whether **continuous medication** is required to control the condition.

## Important Note

- **Syphilitic aortic aneurysms** are evaluated separately under **Diagnostic Code 7110** (Aortic aneurysm: Ascending, thoracic, abdominal).

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.104. It describes the criteria the VA uses and does not guarantee any specific rating or outcome.*

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