Inflammation of the protective sac surrounding the heart that may cause chest pain.
During the active-infection phase, medical records documenting the active pericarditis infection and cardiac involvement — such as hospital or clinic notes, lab results, and treatment records — support the 100% rating. Records showing the date treatment ended help establish the three-month post-treatment window.
After that window closes, physical examination findings combined with an echocardiogram, Doppler echocardiogram, or cardiac catheterization report are needed to confirm the diagnosis and keep the rating active. Exercise stress test results that report the MET level at which breathlessness, fatigue, angina, dizziness, arrhythmia, palpitations, or syncope appear are central to placing you in the correct rating tier. If exercise testing cannot be done for medical reasons, a medical examiner can estimate your MET level based on specific activities you can and cannot perform.
For the 30% level, imaging such as an echocardiogram, multigated acquisition scan, or MRI showing cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation can independently support that rating even without a MET finding. For the 10% level, prescription records and physician notes confirming that continuous medication is required to control your condition are relevant. Statements from you or people who know you describing how symptoms limit your physical activity at work and at home can also help show where your functional limits fall.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
