What happens during a C&P exam for Growth Hormone Deficiency?

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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Growth Hormone Deficiency

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth Hormone Deficiency (DC 7999) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7999 (no specific § 4.119 code — rated by analogy to hypopituitarism). No dedicated diagnostic code under § 4.119. Adult growth hormone deficiency (most often a residual of pituitary disease, surgery, radiation, or trauma) is rated by analogy under § 4.119 (DC 7999); the resulting symptomatic dysfunction is rated separately under the applicable code: fatigue/asthenia, reduced exercise tolerance, body-composition changes, reduced bone density or pathologic fracture (§ 4.71a), mood disturbance (§ 4.130), or other functional consequences. Where GHD is one component of broader hypopituitarism, each affected hormone axis is evaluated separately.

Q: What rates 0% for Growth Hormone Deficiency under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7999 (no specific § 4.119 code — rated by analogy to hypopituitarism)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7999 (no specific § 4.119 code — rated by analogy to hypopituitarism) (DC 7999), a 0% rating for Growth Hormone Deficiency requires: No dedicated diagnostic code under § 4.119. Adult growth hormone deficiency (most often a residual of pituitary disease, surgery, radiation, or trauma) is rated by analogy under § 4.119 (DC 7999); the resulting symptomatic dysfunction is rated separately under the applicable code: fatigue/asthenia, reduced exercise tolerance, body-composition changes, reduced bone density or pathologic fracture (§ 4.71a), mood disturbance (§ 4.130), or other functional consequences. Where GHD is one component of broader hypopituitarism, each affected hormone axis is evaluated separately.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Growth Hormone Deficiency VA claim?

Key evidence for a Growth Hormone Deficiency 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 7999 | 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7999 (no specific § 4.119 code — rated by analogy to hypopituitarism) | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.119 (Endocrine system) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Growth Hormone Deficiency is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7999 of 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7999 (no specific § 4.119 code — rated by analogy to hypopituitarism) across 1 severity tier (0%). 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.

OVERVIEW

Insufficient production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. In adults, causes increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, reduced bone density, fatigue, and impaired quality of life. Can result from TBI, pituitary surgery, or radiation.

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

No dedicated diagnostic code under § 4.119. Adult growth hormone deficiency (most often a residual of pituitary disease, surgery, radiation, or trauma) is rated by analogy under § 4.119 (DC 7999); the resulting symptomatic dysfunction is rated separately under the applicable code: fatigue/asthenia, reduced exercise tolerance, body-composition changes, reduced bone density or pathologic fracture (§ 4.71a), mood disturbance (§ 4.130), or other functional consequences. Where GHD is one component of broader hypopituitarism, each affected hormone axis is evaluated separately.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-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

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 during a regulation-text comparison 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.
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