VA Diagnostic Code 7911Addison's disease (adrenocortical insufficiency)

Rated from 20% to 60% under § 4.119. Here is what the VA requires at each level.

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60%Maximum
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

From the schedule

Notes on this code

These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.

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; fever; apathy, and depressed mentation with possible progression to coma, renal shutdown, and death.
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 peripheral vascular collapse.
Note (3): Tuberculous Addison's disease will be evaluated as active or inactive tuberculosis. If inactive, these evaluations are not to be combined with the graduated ratings of 50 percent or 30 percent for non-pulmonary tuberculosis specified under § 4.88b. Assign the higher rating.

Addison's Disease (Adrenocortical Insufficiency) — VA Disability Rating

Diagnostic Code 7911 · 38 CFR § 4.119 · Endocrine System

What Is Addison's Disease?

Addison's disease, also known as adrenocortical insufficiency, is an endocrine condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of certain hormones. For VA rating purposes, this condition is evaluated based on the frequency of "crises" and "episodes" you experience, as well as related symptoms and treatment needs.

The VA draws an important distinction between two levels of severity:

An Addisonian "crisis" is the more serious event. It involves the rapid onset of peripheral vascular collapse (with acute hypotension and shock). Findings may include anorexia; nausea; vomiting; dehydration; profound weakness; pain in the abdomen, legs, and back; fever; apathy; and depressed mentation, with possible progression to coma, renal shutdown, and death.
An Addisonian "episode" is, for VA purposes, a less acute and less severe event than a crisis. It may include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, malaise, orthostatic hypotension, or hypoglycemia — but no peripheral vascular collapse.

Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating for Addison's disease according to the following schedule:

Rating	What It Reflects
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

What the VA Looks For

When rating Addison's disease, the VA focuses on measurable factors from the past year, including:

The number of Addisonian crises you experienced (the more severe events involving peripheral vascular collapse).
The number of Addisonian episodes you experienced (the less severe events without peripheral vascular collapse).
Ongoing symptoms such as weakness and fatigability.
Whether corticosteroid therapy is required to control the condition.

Because the definitions of "crisis" and "episode" are specific, the distinction between them matters for how the condition is evaluated.

Special Note on Tuberculous Addison's Disease

If the Addison's disease is tuberculous, it is evaluated as active or inactive tuberculosis. If inactive, these evaluations are not to be combined with the graduated ratings of 50 percent or 30 percent for non-pulmonary tuberculosis specified under § 4.88b — the higher rating is assigned.

This information is based on the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.119, Diagnostic Code 7911. Individual ratings depend on your specific medical evidence and circumstances.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.119, diagnostic code 7911. The official version is the one that governs your rating.

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