38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.104

Ventricular arrhythmias (sustained) — VA Diagnostic Code 7011

Cardiovascular

Diagnostic code

7011

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38 CFR § 4.104 lists Diagnostic Code 7011 under Diseases of the Heart as “Ventricular arrhythmias (sustained):”. The code prints one percentage, 100. The note says to evaluate post-surgical residuals under the General Rating Formula. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes the code as “Ventricular arrhythmias.” The index does not say “sustained.”

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. The § 4.104 source note prints 62 FR 65219, Dec. 11, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 37779, July 14, 1998; 71 FR 52460, Sept. 6, 2006; 79 FR 2100, Jan. 13, 2014; 82 FR 50804, Nov. 2, 2017; 86 FR 54093, Sept. 30, 2021; 86 FR 62095, Nov. 9, 2021.

The rating criteria at each level

7011 Ventricular arrhythmias (sustained)

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). For an indefinite period from the date of inpatient hospital admission for initial medical therapy for a sustained ventricular arrhythmia; or, for an indefinite period from the date of inpatient hospital admission for ventricular aneurysmectomy; or, with an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) in place

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
100	For an indefinite period from the date of inpatient hospital admission for initial medical therapy for a sustained ventricular arrhythmia; or, for an indefinite period from the date of inpatient hospital admission for ventricular aneurysmectomy; or, with an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) in place

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart — where the DC 7011 note directs post-surgical residuals

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). Workload of 3.0 METs or less results in heart failure symptoms

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). Workload of 3.1-5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). 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)

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). Workload of 7.1-10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
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

Note: When inpatient hospitalization for sustained ventricular arrhythmia or ventricular aneurysmectomy is required, a 100-percent evaluation begins on the date of hospital admission with a mandatory VA examination six months following hospital discharge. Evaluate post-surgical residuals under the General Rating Formula. Apply the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter to any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination.

The table headnote says: “Unless otherwise directed, use this general rating formula to evaluate diseases of the heart.” The DC 7011 row directs the 100 percent line. The note then directs post-surgical residuals to the formula.

For DCs 7009, 7010, 7011, and 7015, a single evaluation will be assigned under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture.

Note (2) of the general formula says 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 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. Note (3) says heart failure symptoms include, but are not limited to, breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope. Note (1) says to evaluate cor pulmonale as part of the pulmonary condition that causes it. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

38 CFR § 4.100(b) says that even if the requirement for a 10% or 30% evaluation is met, METs testing is required in all cases except when there is a medical contraindication, or when a 100% evaluation can be assigned on another basis. Section 4.100 uses the percent sign. The formula’s rating column uses the numerals 100, 60, 30, and 10. The DC 7011 100 line is an evaluation the schedule prints on its own row. 38 CFR § 4.31 says that in every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met. Neither that row nor the formula prints a 0 percent line.

A change in evaluation under the DC 7011 note follows 38 CFR § 3.105(e).

Source: 38 CFR § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7011, and the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

The 100 percent line uses “or,”

The cell has three clauses, separated by “; or,”. The first is an indefinite period from inpatient admission for initial medical therapy for a sustained ventricular arrhythmia. The second is an indefinite period from inpatient admission for ventricular aneurysmectomy. The third is an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) in place. The abbreviation is “AICD,” singular, in parentheses.

Post-surgical residuals

The note uses those words for the General Rating Formula. It also sets the 100 percent evaluation at the date of hospital admission when inpatient hospitalization is required, and it requires a VA examination six months following hospital discharge.

One evaluation among four codes

The schedule says a single evaluation will be assigned under the diagnostic code, among DCs 7009, 7010, 7011, and 7015, that reflects the predominant disability picture. DC 7010 is supraventricular tachycardia. DC 7015 is atrioventricular block. DC 7005 is arteriosclerotic heart disease. It uses the general formula and is not one of those four codes.

Evidence that speaks to each level

The 100 percent line

What the rater needs to see. Inpatient hospital admission for initial medical therapy for a sustained ventricular arrhythmia, inpatient admission for ventricular aneurysmectomy, or an AICD in place.

Where that usually lives. The admission record, the operative report, or the record that an AICD is in place.

Post-surgical residuals under the formula

What the rater needs to see. The MET workload that results in heart failure symptoms, or the hypertrophy, dilatation, or continuous-medication finding the formula line names.

Where that usually lives. The examination six months following hospital discharge, and the later findings the formula uses.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
The 100 percent line	Inpatient hospital admission for initial medical therapy for a sustained ventricular arrhythmia, inpatient admission for ventricular aneurysmectomy, or an AICD in place.	The admission record, the operative report, or the record that an AICD is in place.
Post-surgical residuals under the formula	The MET workload that results in heart failure symptoms, or the hypertrophy, dilatation, or continuous-medication finding the formula line names.	The examination six months following hospital discharge, and the later findings the formula uses.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Heart Conditions” under Cardiovascular. The file is Heart Conditions.

The exam form

DC 7011 prints the 100 percent line and points post-surgical residuals at the general formula. This page does not say the form replaces those words.

Related codes and how they interact

An AICD is also named under DC 7018.

DC 7018 is implantable cardiac pacemakers. Its note says: “Evaluate automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (AICDs) under DC 7011.” That note uses the plural “defibrillators” and “AICDs.” The DC 7011 line uses the singular “defibrillator (AICD).”

Secondary conditions and presumptions

38 CFR § 3.309(c)(1) lists “Atherosclerotic heart disease or hypertensive vascular disease (including hypertensive heart disease) and their complications (including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia).” That sentence includes the word “arrhythmia.” It does not assign DC 7011. The row has no diagnostic code. Paragraph (c)(2) is a separate list and requires internment or detention for not less than 30 days. Atherosclerotic heart disease is not on the paragraph (c)(2) list. Hypertension has its own public page, hypertensive vascular disease.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for ventricular arrhythmias?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7011 is 100 percent on the indefinite-period and AICD line. The note evaluates post-surgical residuals under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

What does Appendix B leave out?

The index says “Ventricular arrhythmias.” The rating table says “Ventricular arrhythmias (sustained).”

FAQ

How does VA rate sustained ventricular arrhythmias under DC 7011?

The code’s own line is 100 percent for an indefinite period from inpatient admission for initial medical therapy, or from inpatient admission for ventricular aneurysmectomy, or with an AICD in place. When inpatient hospitalization is required, the note starts that 100 percent on the date of admission and requires an examination six months after discharge. Post-surgical residuals are evaluated under the General Rating Formula: 100, 60, 30, and 10. Education only.

What measurements do the DC 7011 lines name?

The 100 percent cell names the indefinite period from inpatient admission and an AICD in place. The formula lines name a MET workload, cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent, and continuous medication. Those are the measurements printed in the 2026-10-01 text.

Is every arrhythmia this code?

The title says “Ventricular arrhythmias (sustained).” Supraventricular tachycardia is DC 7010. The single-evaluation sentence covers DCs 7009, 7010, 7011, and 7015. The § 3.309(c)(1) parenthetical includes “arrhythmia” and does not assign DC 7011.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7011, the admission or AICD finding, and whether post-surgical residuals were evaluated under the general formula.
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other heart codes are on the cardiovascular diagnostic-code index.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Cardiovascular, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Cardiovascular codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7011 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.