VA Diagnostic Code 6817Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Rated from 0% to 100% under § 4.97. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 100%
Primary pulmonary hypertension, or; chronic pulmonary thromboembolism with evidence of pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, or cor pulmonale, or; pulmonary hypertension secondary to other obstructive disease of pulmonary arteries or veins with evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy or cor pulmonale
- 60%
Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism requiring anticoagulant therapy, or; following inferior vena cava surgery without evidence of pulmonary hypertension or right ventricular dysfunction
- 30%
Symptomatic, following resolution of acute pulmonary embolism
- 0%
Asymptomatic, following resolution of pulmonary thromboembolism
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Evaluate other residuals following pulmonary embolism under the most appropriate diagnostic code, such as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600) or chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis (DC 6844), but do not combine that evaluation with any of the above evaluations.
Pulmonary Vascular Disease (VA Diagnostic Code 6817)
Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97
Understanding Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Pulmonary vascular disease affects the blood vessels of the lungs. Under VA Diagnostic Code 6817, this category covers conditions such as primary pulmonary hypertension, chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (long-term blood clots in the lungs), and pulmonary hypertension caused by other obstructive disease of the pulmonary arteries or veins.
The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of the condition, how it is being managed, and whether it has led to complications affecting the heart and circulation—such as right ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the right side of the heart) or cor pulmonale (heart failure related to lung disease).
Rating Levels
The VA evaluates Pulmonary Vascular Disease at the following levels:
100%
- Primary pulmonary hypertension, or
- Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism with evidence of pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, or cor pulmonale, or
- Pulmonary hypertension secondary to other obstructive disease of the pulmonary arteries or veins with evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy or cor pulmonale
60%
- Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism requiring anticoagulant therapy, or
- Following inferior vena cava surgery without evidence of pulmonary hypertension or right ventricular dysfunction
30%
- Symptomatic, following resolution of acute pulmonary embolism
0%
- Asymptomatic, following resolution of pulmonary thromboembolism
What the VA Looks For
When rating this condition, the VA considers factors reflected in the criteria above, including:
- Whether primary pulmonary hypertension is present
- Whether there is evidence of pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, or cor pulmonale
- Whether chronic pulmonary thromboembolism requires ongoing anticoagulant therapy
- Whether the condition follows inferior vena cava surgery, and whether pulmonary hypertension or right ventricular dysfunction is present
- Whether symptoms remain after resolution of an acute pulmonary embolism, or whether the condition is asymptomatic following resolution
Important Note
Other residuals following a pulmonary embolism are evaluated under the most appropriate diagnostic code—such as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600) or chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis (DC 6844). Those evaluations are not combined with any of the evaluations listed above.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6817. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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