Pericarditis — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Pericarditis
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960A-1 (Heart Conditions (Including Ischemic and Non-Ischemic Heart Disease, Arrhythmias, Valvular Disease and Cardiac Surgery)) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Pericarditis — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Pericarditis, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Pericarditis
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.104, DC 7002 (pericarditis), then General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart. Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
After the active phase: workload of 7.1 to 10.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or continuous medication required for control (General Rating Formula).
After the active phase: workload of 5.1 to 7.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms; or cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation confirmed by echocardiogram or equivalent.
After the active phase: workload of 3.1 to 5.0 METs results in heart failure symptoms.
During active infection with cardiac involvement and for three months following cessation of therapy for the active infection (thereafter rate under the General Rating Formula, with workload of 3.0 METs or less at the 100 percent level).
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Pericarditis raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Pericarditis claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
JAMA, 2003 · PMID 12824210
Finding: Among 230,734 primary (vaccinia-naive) US military vaccinees, 18 cases of probable myopericarditis occurred within 30 days (incidence 7.8 per 100,000, about 1 per 12,819 primary vaccinees), with onset 7-19 days post-vaccination. The observed rate was 3.6-fold higher (95% CI 3.33-4.11) than the expected background rate, and no cases occurred among 95,622 previously vaccinated members.
Why it helps: Department of Defense surveillance data supporting an association between a military-mandated vaccine (smallpox) and acute myopericarditis in service members, useful for a direct service-connection theory tied to vaccination during service.
- Enhanced safety surveillance study of ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine among US military service membersDirect
Vaccine, 2021 · PMID 34454787
Finding: In a 2009-2017 cohort of 897,227 service members who received the ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine, the adjudicated myopericarditis rate was 20.06 per 100,000 within 30 days, significantly higher in males (21.8) than females (8.5) and in those under 40 (21.1) versus 40+ (6.3 per 100,000).
Why it helps: Large, decade-long DoD electronic-records study quantifying myopericarditis risk after the smallpox vaccine still administered to deploying troops, supporting an association between in-service vaccination and pericardial inflammation.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2004 · PMID 15120802
Finding: Walter Reed authors review the DoD smallpox program in which over 450,000 service members were vaccinated (Dec 2002-Jun 2003), yielding two confirmed and over 50 probable cases of post-vaccination myopericarditis, a cardiac complication rate higher than historically expected.
Why it helps: Authoritative military cardiology review describing smallpox vaccine-associated myopericarditis as a recognized entity, supporting the plausibility of a service-connected pericarditis claim following in-service vaccination.
BMJ, 2021 · PMID 34916207
Finding: In 4,931,775 people, mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccination was associated with myocarditis/myopericarditis (adjusted HR 3.92, 95% CI 2.30-6.68; absolute rate 4.2 per 100,000 within 28 days), with the highest risk among those aged 12-39 (HR 5.24) and among men (6.3 per 100,000); BNT162b2 risk was elevated mainly in women.
Why it helps: Large population cohort supporting an association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (administered to service members) and myopericarditis, relevant where onset followed an in-service vaccine, while noting the absolute risk is low.
Annals of Internal Medicine, 2011 · nexus to recurrent pericarditis · PMID 21873705
Finding: In 120 patients with a first pericarditis recurrence, colchicine halved the 18-month recurrence rate (24% vs 55% on placebo; absolute risk reduction 0.31, number needed to treat 3). The trial notes recurrence affects 10%-50% of pericarditis patients.
Why it helps: Documents that pericarditis frequently recurs and becomes a chronic, treatment-requiring condition, supporting the chronicity and ongoing severity often central to disability rating of pericardial disease.
New England Journal of Medicine, 2021 · nexus to recurrent pericarditis · PMID 33200890
Finding: In a randomized-withdrawal trial of 61 patients with recurrent pericarditis and elevated CRP, only 2 of 30 (7%) on rilonacept had a recurrence versus 23 of 31 (74%) on placebo (hazard ratio 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.18; P<0.001).
Why it helps: Confirms recurrent pericarditis as a distinct chronic, inflammation-driven condition requiring biologic therapy, supporting recognition of recurrent/chronic pericarditis as a persistent disabling complication of an initial pericarditis.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Pericarditis
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Pericarditis. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Filing a Pericarditisclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Pericarditis should also be looking at:
Quick calculator
Estimate your combined rating →
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Health care
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Where you live
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Home buying
VA home loan + funding fee waiver →
ANY service-connected rating waives the funding fee. On a $400K loan that's ~$8,600 saved.
Draft your Pericarditis personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your Pericarditis VA Claim
Use our free Claims Builder to organize your Pericarditis evidence, track your claim status, and prepare for your C&P exam. No coaching fees — just tools.
Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Pericarditis.
Pericarditis Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.