EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Obesity (Endocrine-Related)
DC 7999 | 38 CFR § 4.119 |
Obesity (Endocrine-Related) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7999 of 38 CFR § 4.119 across 3 severity tiers (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Sleep Apnea or Diabetes Type II under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Excessive body weight with a BMI of 30 or higher. The VA does not currently rate obesity as a standalone disability, but it can be an intermediate step in a secondary service connection chain (e.g., knee condition causes obesity which worsens diabetes).
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis
Severe limitation of motion or ankylosis of the affected joint. Specific percentages depend on the joint and whether dominant/non-dominant.
20% -- Moderate limitation
Moderate limitation of motion with significant functional impairment. DeLuca factors may increase the effective rating.
10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion
Mild limitation of motion, or X-ray evidence of arthritis with painful motion under DC 5003.
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
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (10 MAPPED)
DC
Excess weight causes airway obstruction
DC
Insulin resistance from excess body fat
DC
Increased cardiovascular demand
DC
Excess weight accelerates joint wear
DC
Abdominal pressure increases reflux
DC
Fat accumulation in liver
DC
Social stigma and health burden
DC
Excess weight stresses foot arch
DC
Abdominal weight strains spine
DC
Increased pressure on leg veins
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026