What happens during a C&P exam for Syncope (Fainting)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Syncope (Fainting)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Syncope (Fainting)?

Syncope (Fainting) (DC 7010) is rated at 10%, 30%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010. Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or continuous medication required.

Q: What rates 10% for Syncope (Fainting) under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010 (DC 7010), a 10% rating for Syncope (Fainting) requires: Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or continuous medication required.

Q: What rates 30% for Syncope (Fainting) under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010 (DC 7010), a 30% rating for Syncope (Fainting) requires: Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on EKG, echocardiogram, or X-ray.

Q: What rates 60% for Syncope (Fainting) under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010 (DC 7010), a 60% rating for Syncope (Fainting) requires: More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year; or workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.

Q: What rates 100% for Syncope (Fainting) under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010?

Under 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010 (DC 7010), a 100% rating for Syncope (Fainting) requires: Chronic congestive heart failure; or workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Syncope (Fainting) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Syncope (Fainting) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 701038 C.F.R. § 4.104

Diagnostic Code

DC 7010

38 C.F.R. § 4.104

Rating Range

10–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.104

Syncope (Fainting) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7010 of 38 CFR § 4.104, DC 7010 across 4 severity tiers (10% / 30% / 60% / 100%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Temporary loss of consciousness due to reduced blood flow to the brain, often related to cardiac causes

Rating Criteria

10%

Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or continuous medication required.

30%

Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on EKG, echocardiogram, or X-ray.

60%

More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year; or workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.

100%

Chronic congestive heart failure; or workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.104 (Cardiovascular system). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.104 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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