Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)
The VA rates Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) under Diagnostic Code 7911 across 3 severity levels, from 20% to 60%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
Rating schedule — DC 7911 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 20%
- Maximum rating
- 60%
- Rating tiers
- 3
- CFR section
- § 4.119
- Body system
- Endocrine System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
20%, 40%, 60%
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | One or two crises during the past year, or; two to four episodes during the past year, or; weakness and fatigability, or; corticosteroid therapy required for control |
| 40% | Three crises during the past year, or; five or more episodes during the past year |
| 60% | Four or more crises during the past year |
“Three crises during the past year, or; five or more episodes during the past year”
What other endocrine conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 7905HypoparathyroidismRated up to 100%
- 7906ThyroiditisRated up to 0%
- 7907Cushing's syndromeRated up to 100%
- 7908AcromegalyRated up to 100%
- 7909Diabetes insipidusRated up to 30%
- 7913Diabetes mellitusRated up to 100%
- 7914Neoplasm, malignant, any specified part of the endocrine systemRated up to 100%
- 7915Neoplasm, benign, any specified part of the endocrine systemRated up to 0%
- 7916Hyperpituitarism (prolactin secreting pituitary dysfunction)Rated up to 0%
- 7917Hyperaldosteronism (benign or malignant)Rated up to 0%
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- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
- TDIU: 100 Percent VA Pay Without a 100 Percent RatingTDIU pays the 100% VA compensation rate without a 100% rating. See the percentage paths, the extraschedular route under 38 CFR 4.16(b), and how work affects it.
Common Questions About Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)?
The VA rates Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) under Diagnostic Code 7911 at 20%, 40%, 60%. The minimum 20% rating requires: One or two crises during the past year, or; two to four episodes during the past year, or; weakness and fatigability, or; corticosteroid therapy required for control. The maximum 60% rating requires: Four or more crises during the past year.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)?
The VA rates Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7911, published in 38 CFR § 4.119. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 20% and a 60% rating for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)?
A 20% rating requires: One or two crises during the past year, or; two to four episodes during the past year, or; weakness and fatigability, or; corticosteroid therapy required for control. A 60% rating requires: Four or more crises during the past year. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 60% rating for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)?
The key evidence for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. Treatment records showing worsening symptoms, functional limitations documented by your provider, and buddy statements describing observable impact on daily life all strengthen the claim. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)?
The C&P examiner uses a Endocrine System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7911 rating criteria. The examiner documents symptom frequency, severity, and functional impact. Bring all treatment records and describe your worst days, not your best — the VA rates on the full clinical picture across time, not a snapshot of one good day.
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