VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
38 CFR 4.100: Shared Regulatory Context
Read the source context and regulatory notes referenced by diagnostic-code pages using 38 CFR 4.100, with official citations and the current text date.
These source provisions supply context for the linked rating criteria. They are not separate evaluations automatically assigned to every condition. Read the diagnostic code and its own cross-references together.
(a) 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.
(b) Even if the requirement for a 10% (based on the need for continuous medication) or 30% (based on the presence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation) evaluation is met, 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.
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Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
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