---
title: "DC 7007 - Hypertensive heart disease."
diagnostic_code: "7007"
body_system: "Cardiovascular System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.104"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/cardiovascular/7007-hypertensive-heart-disease"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.104"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:44:08.456366Z"
---

# DC 7007 - Hypertensive 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 |

# Hypertensive Heart Disease (VA Diagnostic Code 7007)

Hypertensive heart disease is a cardiovascular condition rated by the VA under **Diagnostic Code 7007**, found in **§ 4.104**. It is evaluated using the **General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart**.

## Understanding the Condition

Hypertensive heart disease affects the **cardiovascular system**. When the VA evaluates this condition, it looks closely at how well your heart functions during physical activity, whether there are structural changes to the heart, and whether ongoing medication is needed to manage it.

A key measurement the VA uses is the **MET (metabolic equivalent)** level — a way of expressing the workload your heart can handle before heart failure symptoms appear. Lower MET levels indicate that symptoms occur with less physical exertion.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on your documented symptoms and test results:

| Rating | What the VA Looks For |
|--------|------------------------|
| **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 |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating hypertensive heart disease, the VA focuses on:

- **The MET workload level** at which heart failure symptoms occur — the lower the level, the higher the potential rating.
- **Structural changes to the heart**, such as cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation, when confirmed by an echocardiogram or an equivalent test like a multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This can support a 30% rating.
- **Whether continuous medication is required** to control the condition, which is relevant at the 10% level.

Because ratings are based on specific medical findings, documentation such as MET test results, echocardiograms or equivalent imaging, and records of prescribed medication all play a role in how this condition is evaluated.

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