38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.104
Atrioventricular block — VA Diagnostic Code 7015
Cardiovascular
Diagnostic code
7015
38 CFR § 4.104 lists Diagnostic Code 7015 as “Atrioventricular block:”. The title ends with a colon. The rating cell on the title is empty. Benign (First-Degree and Second-Degree, Type I) says “Evaluate under the General Rating Formula.” Non-Benign (Second-Degree, Type II and Third-Degree) says “Evaluate under DC 7018 (implantable cardiac pacemakers).” Appendix B to Part 4 indexes “Atrioventricular block.” with a period and without the colon.
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 § 4.100 source note prints 71 FR 52460, Sept. 6, 2006, as amended at 86 FR 54093, Sept. 30, 2021; 86 FR 67654, Nov. 29, 2021.
The rating criteria at each level
7015 Atrioventricular block
Rating %: —
Criteria (verbatim). Benign (First-Degree and Second-Degree, Type I): Evaluate under the General Rating Formula.
Rating %: —
Criteria (verbatim). Non-Benign (Second-Degree, Type II and Third-Degree): Evaluate under DC 7018 (implantable cardiac pacemakers).
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| — | Benign (First-Degree and Second-Degree, Type I): Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. |
| — | Non-Benign (Second-Degree, Type II and Third-Degree): Evaluate under DC 7018 (implantable cardiac pacemakers). |
General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart — where benign DC 7015 directs it
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 |
7018 Implantable cardiac pacemakers — where non-benign DC 7015 directs it
Rating %: 100
Criteria (verbatim). For one month following hospital discharge for implantation or re-implantation
Rating %: —
Criteria (verbatim). Thereafter: Evaluate as supraventricular tachycardia (DC 7010), ventricular arrhythmias (DC 7011), or atrioventricular block (DC 7015).
Rating %: 10
Criteria (verbatim). Minimum
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| 100 | For one month following hospital discharge for implantation or re-implantation |
| — | Thereafter: Evaluate as supraventricular tachycardia (DC 7010), ventricular arrhythmias (DC 7011), or atrioventricular block (DC 7015). |
| 10 | Minimum |
The Diseases of the Heart caption carries this headnote: “[Unless otherwise directed, use this general rating formula to evaluate diseases of the heart.]” The brackets are in the headnote.
Note (1): Evaluate cor pulmonale, which is a form of secondary heart disease, as part of the pulmonary condition that causes it.
Note (2): One MET (metabolic equivalent) 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 the level of METs at which breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope develops is required for evaluation, and 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) that results in those symptoms.
Note (3): For this general formula, heart failure symptoms include, but are not limited to, breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope.
For DCs 7009, 7010, 7011, and 7015, a single evaluation will be assigned under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture.
The DC 7018 note says: Evaluate automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (AICDs) under DC 7011.
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 § 4.31 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. The general formula’s lowest printed line is 10. It does not print a 0 line. DC 7018 prints a minimum of 10.
38 CFR § 4.100(a) says whether or not cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation (documented by electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray) is present and whether or not there is a need for continuous medication must be ascertained in all cases. Paragraph (b) says METs testing is required in all cases except: “(1) When there is a medical contraindication. (2) When a 100% evaluation can be assigned on another basis.”
Non-benign DC 7015 directs the reader to DC 7018. The thereafter sentence of DC 7018 names DC 7015 again, along with DC 7010 and DC 7011. Benign DC 7015 directs the reader to the general formula. DC 7005 is arteriosclerotic heart disease, which uses that formula. DC 7009 is symptomatic bradycardia requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. Note (1) of DC 7009 names “AV heart block (second or third degree)” as one class of bradyarrhythmia. That note is printed on DC 7009. The DC 7015 title is “Atrioventricular block:”.
Source: 38 CFR § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7015 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
Benign and non-benign are different sentences
Benign is First-Degree and Second-Degree, Type I, and it says to evaluate under the General Rating Formula. Non-Benign is Second-Degree, Type II and Third-Degree, and it says to evaluate under DC 7018. The hyphen and the capitals in “Non-Benign” are in the 2026-10-01 text.
The loop is printed
Non-benign DC 7015 says to evaluate under DC 7018. DC 7018’s thereafter sentence says to evaluate as DC 7010, DC 7011, or DC 7015. The schedule prints both sentences.
One evaluation among four codes
The sentence names DCs 7009, 7010, 7011, and 7015. A single evaluation is assigned under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture.
Evidence that speaks to each level
Benign DC 7015
What the rater needs to see. First-degree or second-degree type I atrioventricular block, then the general formula: METs that result in heart failure symptoms, or cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation, or continuous medication required for control.
Where that usually lives. The electrocardiogram and the heart examination. Section 4.100 says hypertrophy, dilatation, and continuous medication must be ascertained.
Non-benign DC 7015
What the rater needs to see. Second-degree type II or third-degree block, evaluated under DC 7018: 100 for one month following hospital discharge for implantation or re-implantation, then DC 7010, DC 7011, or DC 7015, with a minimum of 10.
Where that usually lives. The discharge summary and the later evaluation that names one of those three codes.
VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Heart Conditions” under Cardiovascular. The file linked from that list is Heart Conditions.
The exam form
DC 7015 prints two evaluate sentences. This page does not say the form replaces either sentence.
Related codes and how they interact
The pacemaker code names this code back.
DC 7018 is 100 for one month, then DC 7010, DC 7011, or DC 7015, with a minimum of 10. An AICD is evaluated under DC 7011. That note is on DC 7018.
Secondary conditions and presumptions
The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “atrioventricular.” Section 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 row does not say atrioventricular block, and it does not print DC 7015. Section 3.309(a) lists “Endocarditis” and says that term covers all forms of valvular heart disease. That parenthetical does not print DC 7015.
A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.
Short answers
How does VA rate atrioventricular block under DC 7015?
Under 38 CFR § 4.104, benign atrioventricular block is evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart. Non-benign atrioventricular block is evaluated under DC 7018. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.
Which codes share the single-evaluation sentence with DC 7015?
The sentence names DCs 7009, 7010, 7011, and 7015. A single evaluation is assigned under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture.
FAQ
What does DC 7015 print for atrioventricular block?
Benign first-degree and second-degree type I block is evaluated under the General Rating Formula. Non-benign second-degree type II and third-degree block is evaluated under DC 7018. Education only.
What are the general-formula percentages?
100 at 3.0 METs or less, 60 at 3.1-5.0 METs, 30 at 5.1-7.0 METs or with confirmed cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation, and 10 at 7.1-10.0 METs or when continuous medication is required for control. The headnote says to use that formula unless otherwise directed.
Does a pacemaker send the rating back to DC 7015?
DC 7018 says that thereafter the evaluation is as DC 7010, DC 7011, or DC 7015. Non-benign DC 7015 says to evaluate under DC 7018. Both sentences are in § 4.104.
Next steps
- Read the decision for DC 7015, whether the block was called benign or non-benign, and whether DC 7018 was used.
- 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 cardiovascular codes are on the cardiovascular diagnostic-code index. The category page is cardiovascular conditions.
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
- DC 7004Syphilitic heart disease
- DC 7005Arteriosclerotic heart disease
- DC 7006Myocardial infarction
- DC 7007Hypertensive heart disease
- DC 7008Hyperthyroid heart disease
- DC 7009Bradycardia (Bradyarrhythmia), symptomatic, requiring permanent pacemaker implantation
- DC 7010Supraventricular tachycardia
- DC 7011Ventricular arrhythmias
- DC 7016Heart valve replacement
- DC 7017Coronary bypass surgery
- DC 7018Implantable cardiac pacemakers
- DC 7019Cardiac transplantation
- DC 7020Cardiomyopathy
- DC 7101Hypertensive vascular disease
- DC 7110Aortic aneurysm: ascending, thoracic, abdominal
- DC 7111Aneurysm, large artery
Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.
Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7015 • 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.