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Hypopituitarism
✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.119 (Endocrine system) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team
Hypopituitarism 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 for hypopituitarism — rated by analogy) across 2 severity tiers (100% / 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
Deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones. The pituitary gland fails to produce adequate amounts of growth hormone, TSH, ACTH, LH/FSH, or prolactin. Can result from tumors, surgery, radiation, or traumatic brain injury.
RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)
100%
For severe panhypopituitarism with secondary adrenal insufficiency / myxedema-equivalent presentation (e.g., post-pituitary-apoplexy, post-traumatic, Sheehan syndrome), rate by analogy to DC 7903 (hypothyroidism manifesting as myxedema) — 100% continues for six months beyond date of crisis stabilization per § 4.119 Note (1) framework; thereafter rate residual effects under the appropriate body system DCs (eye, digestive, mental disorders, adrenal insufficiency DC 7911, diabetes insipidus DC 7909).
0%
No dedicated diagnostic code under § 4.119 for hypopituitarism as a single entity; rate by analogy under § 4.119 (DC 7999). Each affected pituitary hormone axis is evaluated separately under the appropriate code: secondary hypothyroidism (DC 7903); secondary adrenal insufficiency (DC 7911); diabetes insipidus from posterior-pituitary involvement (DC 7909); secondary hypogonadism (DC 7999 by analogy); growth hormone deficiency (DC 7999 by analogy). Mass effect from an underlying tumor — visual-field deficits under § 4.79 (eye), cranial neuropathies under § 4.124a — is rated separately. The combined rating is determined under the combined ratings table at § 4.25.
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.
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026