38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.104

Aortic aneurysm: Ascending, thoracic, or abdominal — VA Diagnostic Code 7110

Cardiovascular

Diagnostic code

7110

Start free worksheet Get the Founding Pass — $9.99/month

38 CFR § 4.104 lists Diagnostic Code 7110, “Aortic aneurysm: Ascending, thoracic, or abdominal,” in the cardiovascular schedule. The code evaluates at 100 percent if the aneurysm is 5 centimeters or larger, symptomatic, or requires surgery. Otherwise the line is 0 percent. A Note sets when a surgery evaluation starts and when the next exam is due.

Reviewed 2026-09-28. Diffed against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-09-24 on 2026-09-28. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-09-24; latest amended on 2026-08-27.

The rating criteria at each level

Aortic aneurysm: Ascending, thoracic, or abdominal

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). Evaluate at 100 percent if the aneurysm is any one of the following: Five centimeters or larger in diameter; symptomatic (e.g., precludes exertion); or requires surgery

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). Otherwise

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
100	Evaluate at 100 percent if the aneurysm is any one of the following: Five centimeters or larger in diameter; symptomatic (e.g., precludes exertion); or requires surgery
0	Otherwise

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart

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

Evaluate non-cardiovascular residuals of surgical correction according to organ systems affected.

Note: When surgery is required, a 100-percent evaluation begins on the date a physician recommends surgical correction with a mandatory VA examination six months following hospital discharge. Evaluate post-surgical residuals under the General Rating Formula. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter.

The Diseases of the Heart table, which contains the General Rating Formula, prints these notes above the formula. 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.

The table caption says: “Unless otherwise directed, use this general rating formula to evaluate diseases of the heart.” DC 7110’s Note directs post-surgical residuals to that formula. The 100 percent and 0 percent lines above are the aneurysm itself, before that residual step.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.104 (Schedule of ratings—cardiovascular system), Diagnostic Code 7110 and the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart, eCFR, up to date as of 2026-09-24.

What the words mean in your records

Five centimeters or larger in diameter

One 100 percent trigger is “Five centimeters or larger in diameter.” The sentence says the aneurysm is evaluated at 100 percent if it is any one of the listed findings. Size alone meets the line. The measurement is a diameter. The schedule does not name which imaging method must produce it.

Symptomatic

The second trigger is “symptomatic (e.g., precludes exertion).” The schedule’s own example is that the aneurysm precludes exertion. It does not print a longer symptom list under DC 7110. “Any one of the following” means this trigger stands on its own.

Requires surgery

The third trigger is “requires surgery.” The Note then says when that evaluation starts: “a 100-percent evaluation begins on the date a physician recommends surgical correction,” with a mandatory VA examination six months following hospital discharge. The start date in the Note is the recommendation date, not the date of admission and not the date of discharge.

Otherwise, 0 percent

The other line is “Otherwise,” at 0 percent. An aneurysm that is under 5 centimeters, not symptomatic under the schedule’s example, and not one that requires surgery, is that line. DC 7110 prints the 0 percent line itself. Section 4.31 is the rule for codes that do not print one. It is not the source of this 0 percent.

After the six-month exam

The Note says to evaluate post-surgical residuals under the General Rating Formula, and to evaluate non-cardiovascular residuals of surgical correction according to the organ systems affected. Any change in evaluation based upon that exam, or any later exam, “shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter.” 38 CFR § 3.105(e) (Revision of decisions) is the reduction-in-evaluation rule for compensation: where a lower evaluation would reduce or discontinue compensation currently being paid, VA prepares a proposed rating setting forth all material facts and reasons. See proposed reduction letters. The surgery rating article discusses convalescence under § 4.30 in general. DC 7110’s Note is the timing rule printed for this code.

Evidence that speaks to each level

100 — 5 centimeters or larger

What the rater needs to see. A diameter of five centimeters or larger. Any one trigger is enough, so this measurement alone is the 100 percent line.

Where that usually lives. Imaging that states the maximum diameter, such as CT, ultrasound, or MRI, with the date of the study. The Artery and Vein DBQ asks whether the aneurysm is five centimeters or larger in diameter.

100 — symptomatic

What the rater needs to see. That the aneurysm is symptomatic. The schedule’s example is that it precludes exertion.

Where that usually lives. Cardiology or vascular notes describing the symptoms, and the DBQ question “Symptomatic (e.g., precludes exertion).”

100 — requires surgery

What the rater needs to see. That surgery is required, and the date a physician recommends surgical correction. That date is when the Note says the 100 percent evaluation begins.

Where that usually lives. The dated recommendation in the treatment record. The Artery and Vein DBQ asks whether a surgical procedure was performed, the type and date of surgery, and whether an aneurysm is present that does not meet the requirements for surgical correction. It does not, in the copy read for this page, contain a field labeled as the recommendation date.

0 — otherwise

What the rater needs to see. That none of the three triggers is met: under 5 centimeters, not symptomatic as the line uses that word, and surgery not required.

Where that usually lives. The same imaging and the same clinical notes, read against those three phrases.

After discharge — residuals

What the rater needs to see. The hospital discharge date, the mandatory exam six months later, cardiovascular residuals under the General Rating Formula (METs, or estimated METs under Note (2), or hypertrophy or dilatation, or continuous medication), and non-cardiovascular residuals under the organ system affected.

Where that usually lives. The discharge summary and the later exam. The Heart Conditions DBQ records METs, interview-based METs, hypertrophy, dilatation, and whether continuous medication is required.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
100 — 5 centimeters or larger	A diameter of five centimeters or larger. Any one trigger is enough, so this measurement alone is the 100 percent line.	Imaging that states the maximum diameter, such as CT, ultrasound, or MRI, with the date of the study. The Artery and Vein DBQ asks whether the aneurysm is five centimeters or larger in diameter.
100 — symptomatic	That the aneurysm is symptomatic. The schedule’s example is that it precludes exertion.	Cardiology or vascular notes describing the symptoms, and the DBQ question “Symptomatic (e.g., precludes exertion).”
100 — requires surgery	That surgery is required, and the date a physician recommends surgical correction. That date is when the Note says the 100 percent evaluation begins.	The dated recommendation in the treatment record. The Artery and Vein DBQ asks whether a surgical procedure was performed, the type and date of surgery, and whether an aneurysm is present that does not meet the requirements for surgical correction. It does not, in the copy read for this page, contain a field labeled as the recommendation date.
0 — otherwise	That none of the three triggers is met: under 5 centimeters, not symptomatic as the line uses that word, and surgery not required.	The same imaging and the same clinical notes, read against those three phrases.
After discharge — residuals	The hospital discharge date, the mandatory exam six months later, cardiovascular residuals under the General Rating Formula (METs, or estimated METs under Note (2), or hypertrophy or dilatation, or continuous medication), and non-cardiovascular residuals under the organ system affected.	The discharge summary and the later exam. The Heart Conditions DBQ records METs, interview-based METs, hypertrophy, dilatation, and whether continuous medication is required.

Lay evidence can describe what exertion is no longer possible. The diameter, the surgical recommendation, and the MET or imaging findings are clinical records. Keep the recommendation date separate from the surgery date. Those are different days in the Note.

The exam form

VA’s public DBQ list, checked September 28, 2026, names “Artery and Vein Conditions” and “Heart Conditions” under Cardiovascular. Both are public forms. Neither is on the list of DBQs withheld from public use. This site’s cardiovascular DBQ guide in this family is the hypertension DBQ guide, which is the form for a different code. The index is DBQ guides.

The Artery and Vein PDF, marked updated on 2024-07-09 and read September 28, 2026, has Section VI, “Aortic aneurysm: ascending, thoracic, or abdominal.” It asks whether the aneurysm is symptomatic, whether surgery was performed and on what date, whether an aneurysm is present that does not meet the requirements for surgical correction, whether it is five centimeters or larger in diameter, and whether there are post-surgical residuals. If residuals are non-cardiac, the form says to complete the questionnaire for the affected body system. The Heart Conditions PDF records METs in Section XIII, hypertrophy and dilatation in Section XII, and continuous medication in Section II. This page does not publish form numbers.

Related codes and how they interact

Other aneurysm and heart codes

DC 7111 is “Aneurysm, any large artery.” Its 100 percent line is: “If symptomatic; or, for the period beginning on the date a physician recommends surgical correction and continuing for six months following discharge from inpatient hospital admission for surgical correction.” The next line is “Following surgery: Evaluate under DC 7114 (peripheral arterial disease).” Its note requires a mandatory VA examination six months after discharge, and applies § 3.105(e) to a change in evaluation. That is a different code from an aneurysm of the aorta.

DC 7112 is “Aneurysm, any small artery.” The percentage line is “Asymptomatic,” 0 percent. The note says: “If symptomatic, evaluate according to body system affected. Following surgery, evaluate residuals under the body system affected.”

DC 7114 is “Peripheral arterial disease,” with its own percentage lines and notes. This page does not reprint that table, and it does not decide which note applies to an aortic graft.

DC 7005 is “Arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease).” The table does not print a separate percentage ladder under that title. The Diseases of the Heart caption says to use the general rating formula unless otherwise directed. Its note says that if non-service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease is superimposed on service-connected valvular or other non-arteriosclerotic heart disease, a medical opinion is requested as to which condition is causing the current signs and symptoms.

DC 7004 is “Syphilitic heart disease.” Its note says: “Evaluate syphilitic aortic aneurysms under DC 7110 (Aortic aneurysm: Ascending, thoracic, abdominal).”

DC 7101 is hypertensive vascular disease. The public page is the hypertension guide. The heart-disease family page is the heart disease guide. 38 CFR § 4.14 (Avoidance of pyramiding) says the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses is to be avoided.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

38 CFR § 3.309 (Disease subject to presumptive service connection) does not name aortic aneurysm. Paragraph (a) does list “Arteriosclerosis” and “Cardiovascular-renal disease, including hypertension” among the chronic diseases, on the time limits in § 3.307. Paragraph (e) lists “Ischemic heart disease (including, but not limited to, acute, subacute, and old myocardial infarction; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease (including coronary spasm) and coronary bypass surgery; and stable, unstable and Prinzmetal's angina).” Note 2 of that paragraph says: “For purposes of this section, the term ischemic heart disease does not include hypertension or peripheral manifestations of arteriosclerosis such as peripheral vascular disease or stroke, or any other condition that does not qualify within the generally accepted medical definition of Ischemic heart disease.” This page does not say whether an aneurysm meets that medical definition. See hypertension: presumptive and direct.

A claim that an aneurysm is secondary to a service-connected disease is not written into DC 7110. Any secondary claim is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310 (Disabilities that are proximately due to, or aggravated by, service-connected disease or injury).

Short answers

What is the VA rating for an aortic aneurysm?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7110, an ascending, thoracic, or abdominal aortic aneurysm is rated 100 percent if it is any one of the following: five centimeters or larger in diameter, symptomatic (for example, it precludes exertion), or it requires surgery. Otherwise it is rated 0 percent. The Note starts the 100 percent, when surgery is required, on the date a physician recommends surgical correction. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

When does the 100 percent rating start if surgery is required?

The DC 7110 Note says the 100 percent evaluation “begins on the date a physician recommends surgical correction,” with a mandatory VA examination six months following hospital discharge. Post-surgical residuals are then evaluated under the General Rating Formula, and non-cardiovascular residuals go to the organ system affected. Any change in evaluation based on that exam, or a later one, is subject to § 3.105(e). Education only.

FAQ

How does VA rate an aortic aneurysm under DC 7110?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, Diagnostic Code 7110 rates an ascending, thoracic, or abdominal aortic aneurysm at 100 percent if it is any one of the following: five centimeters or larger in diameter, symptomatic (for example, it precludes exertion), or it requires surgery. Otherwise the evaluation is 0 percent. Non-cardiovascular residuals of surgical correction are evaluated under the organ system affected. Post-surgical residuals go under the General Rating Formula, on the schedule in the Note.

What size triggers 100 percent?

The 100 percent line includes “Five centimeters or larger in diameter.” That phrase is one of three triggers, and the line says “any one of the following.” A diameter under 5 centimeters does not meet the size trigger. It can still meet the line if the aneurysm is symptomatic or requires surgery. The 0 percent line is “Otherwise.”

If I need surgery, when does the 100 percent start?

The DC 7110 Note says that when surgery is required, a 100 percent evaluation begins on the date a physician recommends surgical correction. It also requires a VA examination six months following hospital discharge. The recommendation date and the discharge date are both in that sentence. They are not the same day. Any later change in evaluation is subject to § 3.105(e).

What happens after aortic aneurysm surgery?

The Note requires a VA examination six months after hospital discharge. Post-surgical residuals are evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart. That formula uses METs, or an estimate of METs when exercise testing cannot be done, and it lists heart failure symptoms in Note (3). Non-cardiovascular residuals are evaluated according to the organ systems affected. A change based on that exam follows § 3.105(e). The DC 7110 Note is the timing rule for this code. Section 4.30 convalescence is a different section.

Is aortic aneurysm named as a presumptive disease?

Section 3.309 does not name aortic aneurysm. It does list arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular-renal disease, including hypertension, as chronic diseases, and ischemic heart disease for herbicide exposure. Note 2 says that term does not include hypertension or peripheral manifestations of arteriosclerosis, or any other condition outside the generally accepted medical definition of ischemic heart disease. This page does not apply that definition to an aneurysm.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7110, the diameter, whether a physician has recommended surgery, and that recommendation date.
Keep the imaging, the recommendation, the discharge summary, and the six-month exam together. C&P prep (Founding Pass) is the worksheet. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other cardiovascular codes are on the cardiovascular diagnostic-code index. The catalog home is the 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

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

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7110 • 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.