But, the Department of Veterans Affairs deciding your disability is service-connected is only the beginning. The next step is determining the correct disability rating. This rating determines how much your monthly disability payments will be. In reviewing the claims of veterans with heart-related service-connected disabilities, our VA disability attorneys have noticed blatant errors in how the VA Regional Offices decide heart-related claims. Those errors typically result in too low of a rating.
WHAT SYMPTOMS ENTITLE ME TO A VA DISABILITY RATING FOR HEART DISEASE?
To understand the errors, you first need to know the proper criteria the VA is supposed to use in evaluating the correct disability rating. There a few different ways to qualify for the various ratings, but one way common to each level is the symptom-based method.
To use this method, it is important to know the relevant symptoms. This helps you see where you likely fall on the scale of disability. A veteran is entitled to a rating between 10 and 100 percent if he or she experiences dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope when engaging in certain levels of activity.
While fatigue and dizziness are easily understandable terms, many veterans are not familiar with these other, more specialized medical terms. Dyspnea is difficult or labored breathing, or shortness of breath. Angina is chest pain. Syncope is partial or complete loss of consciousness or, more simply put, fainting or passing out.
SHOULD ALL PEOPLE WITH THESE HEART DISEASE SYMPTOMS BE RATED AT THE SAME LEVEL?
No. Disabilities related to heart disease can be rated at 0, 10, 30, 60, and 100 percent. If you have any of the symptoms discussed above (dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope), your level of disability is tied to what sort of activities bring on your symptoms.
The schedular ratings for heart disease define various activity levels that cause cardiac symptoms. The more active you are before you have symptoms, the lower the rating; the less activity that can cause symptoms, the higher the rating. The level of rating is measured by “METs,” or metabolic equivalents. In plain English, that is a measurement of how hard the heart must work to do certain activities; the higher the MET, the more vigorous the activity. Here is a chart to help understand how the levels of activity correspond to the ratings levels:
VA HEART DISEASE DISABILITY RATING TABLE
Physical activity
MET (metabolic equivalent)
Dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope while doing these activities?
Light intensity activities
< 3
sleeping
0.9
If yes, then 100% rating
watching television
1.0
If yes, then 100% rating
writing, desk work, typing
1.8
If yes, then 100% rating
walking, 1.7 mph (2.7 km/h), level ground, strolling, very slow
2.3
If yes, then 100% rating
walking, 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
2.9
If yes, then 100% rating
Moderate intensity activities
3 to 6
bicycling, stationary, 50 watts, very light effort
3.0
If yes, then 100% rating
walking 3.0 mph (4.8 km/h)
3.3
If yes, then 60% rating
calisthenics, home exercise, light or moderate effort, general
3.5
If yes, then 60% rating
walking 3.4 mph (5.5 km/h)
3.6
If yes, then 60% rating
bicycling, <10 mph (16 km/h), leisure, to work or for pleasure
Remember, symptom-based criteria are just one of the ways a veteran may be entitled to a VA disability rating for a heart condition. There are other methods that can be used to establish a rating.
Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims. He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.
You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.
I highly recommend Travis and his team. From start to finish, the communication and professionalism were outstanding. Jessica was absolutely amazing — responsive, knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to help answer questions and keep me informed throughout the process.
Travis was also excellent and made me feel confident that I was in good hands. Their entire office treated me with respect and care, and I truly appreciate everything they did for me. If you’re looking for an attorney and legal team that genuinely cares about their clients, I would definitely recommend them.Carlos Thornton
Travis Studdard and his team were always professional and from intake to case resolution, they were extremely pleasant to work with. After working closely with them for roughly six years, they successfully appealed my sleep apnea claim with the VA. At times I thought about giving up, but it was their diligence and confidence in their approach that gave me the ability sustain. There were no surprises, they led me by hand every step of the way. My family and I are truly appreciative for their great work. His team truly cares and it shows. They will fight to the end for veterans. I couldn't be happier with the results.James
I had the pleasure to be helped by Travis and his team on my VA disability claim. They know what they are doing, and I would definitely work with them again. I recommend them to any veteran that has a wrongfully denied claim with the VA...Joel Onomo
Travis and his team helped me get my case done when I couldn't get it done by myself.Everything went much faster and better than I expected.I highly recommend his team for any veteran trying to get a claim processed. Norman Scott,U.S.Army veteranNorman Scott
Jason Perkins and his team are so kind, knowledgable and helpful. They were thorough with all my legal needs and made sure my medical needs were taken care of financially. What I most appreciate is that he was always very clear about what was best for my case, but he also always told me I needed to do what was best for me, both mentally and physically. He was always available to answer questions, made sure I understood, and was willing to let me make decisions regarding my case. His ethics are beyond reproach. He would not take a percentage of a payment he did not help me receive. You can trust him. He always made it clear that my mental and physical well-being were more important than any part of my case. Then he would explain what would be best for the case and why, and allow me time to decide. Being in the Worker's Compensation system was an incredibly demeaning experience. I am a strong, educated woman, but when everyone in a system tells you that you are not worthy of the care you have received your entire life, and you instantly become less than to many of those who are suppose to be caring for you, it would weigh on anyone. I am so thankful I had Jason and his team fighting for me, getting me things I never would have imagined would be denied, like a second opinion before surgery, or physical therapy instead of opioids. I cannot imagine trying to handle this experience by myself.Andri Pilgrim
Would definitely recommend 10/10! The team was super helpful through the entire process, and always were available for questions anytime I needed. Always quick to respond, and we’re always sweet and professional!Haley Nicole
Perkins Studdard LLC has been wonderful to work with from the first day through the final journey. They were prompt in requesting the information from me so they could appeal my claim with the VA. I had exhausted all means trying but they were able to get me to 100%. I would "HIGHLY" recommend using them if you are having difficulty getting anywhere with the VA.Mike Black
When i found this law firm I was going through a hard time not just with the VA but mentally as well. And after i hard denial i reached out to Travis and let me just say that was the best decision of my life. From the first call i knew i had made the right decision they are nothing short of amazing. Shoutout to Jessica and Chandler they both helped ease my stress and make the process so smooth it felt really good to be heard. My only mistake was not reaching out to them sooner. Thank you all so very muchRilesia Singleton
Perkins Studdard LLC has done for me what VSO, the DAV, and I could not do on my own. For 10 years after my last rating the VA was bound and determined to keep me at my current percentage. My body was tired physically and mentally. I needed help that the civilian world was not going to let me stop work for. I contacted Perkins Studdard and worked with Jessica and Travis. To tell you what I ever hoped for was greatly exceeded. I am able to now properly heal since 2007 when I was medically discharged. I promise when we feel like we are forgotten you have people like Travis and Jessica that work hard for you to make sure you are not. Their policy on pay is exceptional and even when I got aggravated they understood how to keep me calm and helped my patience. I think the VA does not like to see them coming. I got the holy grail, home run, I can breath decision I needed. Let them help you!Lisa Jordan
I have enjoyed my experience with Perkins Studdard. The team is always available to answer questions and make me feel comfortable, and like I matter. Did a great job with my VA Disability.Matt Strange
I understand you want your VA claim to be done as quickly as possible. But remember the ultimate goal – to win your VA disability compensation claim.
You may eventually get there on your own, but it may be after a series of decisions by the Regional Office and Board of Veterans Appeals. Sometimes claims are appealed and remanded several times, which can cause a claim to drag on for years. If you are interested in avoiding unnecessary delay in your claim and want to do everything you can to maximize your chances of success, it is probably a good idea for you to consult with an accredited veterans disability attorney.
We would be happy to talk to you. If you would like a free consultation with our Perkins Studdard veterans disability attorneys just click here or give us a call to begin the process.
