What can I do to get a rating for POTS?

To get a rating for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), you must file a claim establishing a direct service connection or connect it as secondary to an already service-connected condition, as your symptoms of dizziness, fainting, headaches, and shaking are classic manifestations. Under **38 CFR 3.303**, you need a current diagnosis, an in-service event or aggravation, and a medical nexus linking the two; POTS is most commonly rated under **Diagnostic Code (DC) 7099-7017**, analogously to peripheral autonomic neuropathy, or under DC 7800 for migraines if headaches are predominant. Ratings for dizziness and fainting are typically based on severity and frequency under the criteria in **38 CFR 4.104** or **4.124a**, with persistent episodes potentially warranting a 30% or higher rating. The precedent in *DeLuca v. Brown* allows you to argue for a higher rating based on functional loss during flare-ups beyond what standard tests show. Your actionable next steps are: 1) Obtain a formal POTS diagnosis (often via a tilt-table test) and a written medical nexus opinion from a cardiologist or neurologist; 2) File a fully developed claim with this evidence, detailing the frequency and severity of your fainting/dizziness episodes; and 3) Consider filing for secondary conditions like migraines (DC 8100) if linked to your POTS. **Disclaimer: This is educational information for claims preparation and not legal or medical advice; consult with a Veterans Service Officer or accredited attorney for your specific case.**