Addison's disease VA Rating
How VA rates Addison's disease under diagnostic code 7911, what evidence decides the percentage, and the reasons these claims get denied or under-rated.
Addison's disease is rated under diagnostic code 7911. In the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities it appears as Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency), within the Endocrine System section of 38 CFR Part 4.
The essentials
| Diagnostic code | 7911 |
|---|---|
| Rating schedule name | Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) |
| Body system | Endocrine System |
| Examination form | ENDO Endocrine diseases |
How VA rates addison's disease
These are the rating levels VA assigns under diagnostic code 7911, quoted from the rating schedule. A rater compares the findings in your examination against each level and assigns the highest one your evidence supports.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Four or more crises during the past year |
| 40% | Three crises during the past year, or; five or more episodes during the past year |
| 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 |
- Note (1): An Addisonian “crisis” consists of the rapid onset of peripheral vascular collapse (with acute hypotension and shock), with findings that may include: anorexia; nausea; vomiting; dehydration; profound weakness; pain in abdomen, legs, and back; fev…
- Note (2): An Addisonian “episode,” for VA purposes, is a less acute and less severe event than an Addisonian crisis and may consist of anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, malaise, orthostatic hypotension, or hypoglycemia, but no per…
Criteria quoted from 38 CFR Part 4, Subpart B (eCFR edition 2026-01-01). Where a rating depends on measurements, the figures in your examination report are what decide it — which is why an examination that skipped a required measurement is worth challenging.
Other names for this condition
VA and treating providers may use different terms for the same condition. If your records use any of these, they may still support a claim for Addison's disease:
- Adrenal cortical hypofunction
- hypoadrenia
- adrenal failure
- adrenal insufficiency
What evidence decides the rating
For endocrine system conditions, these are the findings VA weighs when assigning a percentage. If your examination did not address them, the examination may be inadequate for rating purposes — which is itself an argument on appeal.
- Whether the condition requires continuous medication, insulin, or a restricted diet
- Regulation of activities — the specific criterion VA most often fails to develop for diabetes
- Frequency of hospitalisations and visits to a diabetic care provider
- Documented episodes of hypoglycaemia or ketoacidosis
Why these claims get denied or under-rated
These are the failure patterns we see most often on addison's disease and related endocrine system claims:
- Diabetes rated at 20% because 'regulation of activities' was never asked about or documented
- Complications such as peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy or nephropathy were not separately claimed or rated
If your claim was denied or under-rated
A denial is not the end of the claim. Which route is right depends on why VA decided the way it did:
- Higher-Level Review — when the evidence already in the file supports a grant and VA got the decision wrong, or the examination was inadequate.
- Supplemental Claim — when you have new and relevant evidence, such as a private nexus opinion.
- Board Appeal — when you need a Veterans Law Judge to decide, or want a hearing.
- Clear and Unmistakable Error — when a decision more than a year old contains an undebatable error, which can recover retroactive pay.
Effective dates matter as much as the percentage. See effective dates and back pay for how far back an award can reach.
Sources
Related conditions
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This page is educational information, not legal advice. VA rules and deadlines change — always confirm details with the official source (38 CFR, M21-1) or your accredited claims agent. Borne Accredited Claims is an accredited VA claims agent under 38 CFR §14.629 and is not part of, or endorsed by, the Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not guarantee any specific outcome.