Body system: Cardiovascular SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.104
Atrioventricular (AV) block is disruption of the electrical signal between the atria and the ventricles, classified by severity. The VA splits DC 7015 into two pathways. BENIGN AV BLOCK (first-degree, where PR interval is simply prolonged; or second-degree Mobitz Type I/Wenckebach, where the PR progressively lengthens until one beat is dropped) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart (38 CFR § 4.104), 10% to 100% based on MET workload tolerance and any cardiac structural changes. NON-BENIGN AV BLOCK (second-degree Mobitz Type II, where beats drop suddenly without prior PR lengthening; or third-degree complete heart block, where no atrial impulses reach the ventricles) is rated under DC 7018 (Implantable cardiac pacemakers) instead, because permanent pacemaker placement is almost always required. Note: when DC 7015 ratings overlap with DC 7009, 7010, or 7011, only ONE evaluation is assigned under whichever code best captures the predominant disability picture.
Rating levels
- 100% — BENIGN PATH (first-degree AV block, or second-degree Mobitz Type I/Wenckebach): you qualify for 100% if exercise testing shows that a workload of 3.0 METs or less brings on heart failure symptoms. Non-benign AV block (Mobitz Type II or third-degree complete block) is rated under DC 7018 instead, see the Note below.
- 60% — BENIGN PATH: you qualify for 60% if a workload of 3.1 to 5.0 METs brings on heart failure symptoms. Non-benign AV block rates under DC 7018.
- 30% — BENIGN PATH: you qualify for 30% if a workload of 5.1 to 7.0 METs brings on heart failure symptoms, OR you have cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on echo/MUGA/MRI. Non-benign AV block rates under DC 7018.
- 10% — BENIGN PATH: you qualify for 10% if a workload of 7.1 to 10.0 METs brings on heart failure symptoms, OR if you require continuous cardiac medication for control. Non-benign AV block rates under DC 7018.
- -1% — If your AV block is NON-BENIGN (second-degree Mobitz Type II, where some atrial impulses suddenly fail to conduct without prior PR-interval lengthening; or third-degree complete heart block, where no atrial impulses reach the ventricles), the rating does NOT come from DC 7015. Instead, the VA rates it under DC 7018 (Implantable cardiac pacemakers), because these forms of AV block almost always require a permanent pacemaker. DC 7018 has its own ladder (typically a 100% post-implant window followed by the General Rating Formula MET tiers).
- -1% — If you qualify for ratings under multiple codes in this group (DC 7009 Bradycardia/pacemaker, DC 7010 Supraventricular tachycardia, DC 7011 Sustained ventricular arrhythmia, or DC 7015 AV block), the VA does NOT stack the percentages or combine them under § 4.25. Instead, the VA assigns a SINGLE evaluation under the code that best reflects your predominant disability picture, the one that captures the bulk of your functional impairment. This avoids pyramiding across overlapping cardiac-rhythm disability codes.