In this article, we explain how the VA evaluates a chest pain VA rating. Because chest pain is typically part of a bigger health concern, the VA will look at the medical issue causing your pain when assigning a rating.
Don’t fight the VA alone
Below, we outline some common causes of chest pain among veterans and explain how they may qualify for VA disability compensation.
Key Takeaways
- There is no specific chest pain VA disability rating.
- Veterans may qualify for a VA rating for conditions causing their chest pain.
- Common causes of chest pain include costochondritis, angina, respiratory issues, mental health disorders, and digestive problems.
- To get VA disability for chest pain, you’ll need to prove it’s tied to your military service.
In this article about chest pain VA ratings:
What is chest pain?
Chest pain is any type of pain or discomfort felt in the chest. There are a wide range of causes including issues with the respiratory, digestive, or cardiovascular systems. It can also stem from injuries, mental health conditions, and certain infections.
Chest pain can be dull or sharp, and can last anywhere from a few minutes to hours. The pain can manifest in several ways, including tightness, stabbing, or a crushing sensation.
Chest pain is often accompanied by feeling tired, short of breath, light-headed, or sick to your stomach.
Is there a chest pain VA rating?
There is no specific chest pain VA disability rating. However, veterans may still qualify for a VA rating for conditions related to their pain. Any service-connected pain that results in what VA calls “functional loss” may also be eligible for compensation.
Chest pain can come from many different sources, including heart and lung conditions, digestive issues, and even mental health concerns. Veterans who develop a service-connected condition that causes chest pain may be eligible for a VA disability rating related to that condition.
Below, we explore several potential causes of chest pain.
VA disability for costochondritis
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage connecting your ribs and breastbone. The pain from costochondritis may worsen when breathing deeply, coughing, exercising, or reaching. While this pain is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack, it doesn’t have anything to do with the heart.
The exact cause of costochondritis is not understood, but physical strain experienced in service may put veterans at risk of developing the condition. Additionally, having a service-connected condition which causes intense coughing could be a factor.
With proof of service connection, veterans can get a costochondritis VA rating. Ratings for the conditions are evaluated using diagnostic code 5321 for the thoracic muscle group. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, ratings for costochondritis can be 0%, 10%, or 20% disabling.
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VA disability for angina
Another cause of chest pain and discomfort is angina or angina pectoris.
Fatty deposits caused by coronary heart disease can narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart and causing angina.
To assign an angina disability rating, the VA will use diagnostic code 7005 for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), also taking into consideration any other symptoms of your heart condition. Potential disability ratings are 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%.
VA disability for lung conditions
Because the lungs sit within our thoracic cavity within our rib cage, pain in the lungs may feel like chest pain.
Veterans who were exposed to environmental toxins, burn pits, asbestos, Agent Orange, and other pollutants may be more at risk of developing lung conditions.
They may also qualify for presumptive service connection for illnesses like sarcoidosis, chronic rhinitis, asthma, respiratory cancers, or pulmonary fibrosis, which can all cause lung pain.
The VA assigns disability ratings for lung conditions based on the severity of symptoms and how much your condition limits functioning.
A variety of diagnostic codes are used depending on your health condition. Ratings for respiratory conditions can range from 0% to 100%.
VA disability for digestive issues
Chest pain can also be caused by certain disorders of the digestive system, since the esophagus is in the chest.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause a burning sensation in the chest, better known as heartburn. While mild GERD may sometimes be obviously gastrointestinal, it can cause intense angina-like chest pain.
GERD is evaluated under diagnostic code 7206 with disability ratings between 0% and 80% assigned based on the severity and frequency of a veteran’s symptoms.
Other service-connected digestive conditions that cause similar pain in the esophagus can also qualify for benefits.
VA disability for mental health conditions
Mental health is a source of concern for many veterans. After discharge from military service, veterans, especially those who experienced traumatic events, are sometimes left with anxiety and panic disorders.
Panic and anxiety disorders often cause chest pain during a panic or anxiety attack. According to one study, about a quarter of patients who go to the doctor for chest pain have a panic disorder.
VA disability benefits are available to veterans with service-connected mental health conditions. VA ratings for panic disorders range from 0% to 100% depending on frequency and severity of symptoms.
Service connecting your chest pain
As you can see, there are many ways a veteran experiencing chest pain may qualify for VA disability benefits. The conditions listed above are not exhaustive, and any health issue that causes chest pain can warrant disability compensation as long as it can be linked to your military service.
Proving chest pain is linked to service can be done using a variety of evidence like medical records from before and after your time in the military and a nexus letter provided by a health professional.
How Woods & Woods can help
Our TDIU lawyers have helped thousands of veterans nationwide who can no longer work because of their service-connected conditions. Call us today for your free, confidential TDIU case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we win your claim.
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Frequently asked questions
Because chest pain is typically a symptom of a bigger health concern, the VA will grant a disability rating for the condition causing the chest pain.
Chest pain can come from many different sources, including heart and lung conditions, digestive issues, and even mental health concerns. Physical and mental stressors, exposure to environmental toxins, and injuries in service all put veterans at risk of developing health conditions that cause chest pain.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
