What rates 40% for Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911?

Under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911 (DC 7911), a 40% rating for Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) requires: Three crises during the past year, or; five or more episodes during the past year.

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Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency)?

Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) (DC 7911) is rated at 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911. 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.

Q: What rates 20% for Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911?

Under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911 (DC 7911), a 20% rating for Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) 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.

Q: What rates 60% for Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911?

Under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911 (DC 7911), a 60% rating for Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) requires: Four or more crises during the past year.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) claim includes: Recent lab results documenting the endocrine abnormality (for example, blood glucose/A1c, calcium, or hormone levels); Endocrinology records showing insulin/medication regimen, restricted diet, and any regulation of activities (diabetes); A dated log of crises and episodes, with ER/hospital records (for example, Addison's disease, diabetic ketoacidosis/hypoglycemia); Documentation of any separately compensable complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney involvement); Confirmation that continuous medication is required for control. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 791138 C.F.R. § 4.119

Diagnostic Code

DC 7911

38 C.F.R. § 4.119

Rating Range

20–60%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.119

Addison's Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7911 of 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911 across 3 severity tiers (20% / 40% / 60%). 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

Primary adrenal insufficiency caused by autoimmune destruction (most common in developed world), tuberculosis, hemorrhage, or metastatic infiltration of the adrenal cortex. Results in deficient cortisol + aldosterone production, causing weakness, fatigue, weight loss, hyperpigmentation, hypotension, salt craving, and life-threatening adrenal CRISIS in stress (infection, surgery, trauma). Requires lifetime corticosteroid + mineralocorticoid replacement therapy. Critical "stress-dose steroid" protocol for any acute illness or procedure.

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.

Key Evidence

—Recent lab results documenting the endocrine abnormality (for example, blood glucose/A1c, calcium, or hormone levels)

—Endocrinology records showing insulin/medication regimen, restricted diet, and any regulation of activities (diabetes)

—A dated log of crises and episodes, with ER/hospital records (for example, Addison's disease, diabetic ketoacidosis/hypoglycemia)

—Documentation of any separately compensable complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney involvement)

—Confirmation that continuous medication is required for control

—Complete list of prescribed endocrine medications and their side effects

C&P Exam Tips

1Endocrine ratings turn on objective findings - lab values, documented crises or episodes, and whether continuous medication is required (38 CFR 4.119). Bring your recent lab results.

2For diabetes mellitus (DC 7913), the rating builds on insulin injections, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities, then on episodes of ketoacidosis/hypoglycemia requiring hospitalizations or provider visits - document each one.

3Compensable complications of diabetes (such as neuropathy, retinopathy, or kidney involvement) are rated separately unless used to support a 100% evaluation - claim each complication.

4For adrenal conditions like Addison's disease, the rating counts crises and episodes per year (38 CFR 4.119) - keep a dated log; note that a crisis and an episode are defined differently.

5If your condition is controlled only by continuous medication, make sure that requirement is clearly stated on the exam record.

6Report your worst days, list all medications and side effects, and describe the effect on work and daily activity.

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. § 4.119 (Endocrine system). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.119 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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