---
title: "DC 7913 - Diabetes mellitus"
diagnostic_code: "7913"
body_system: "Endocrine System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.119"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/endocrine/7913-diabetes"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.119"
updated: "2026-07-21T05:00:41.485342Z"
---

# DC 7913 - Diabetes mellitus

Rated under § 4.119. Body system: Endocrine System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Requiring more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated |
| 60% | Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated |
| 40% | Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities |
| 20% | Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin and restricted diet, or; oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet |
| 10% | Manageable by restricted diet only |

## Notes

- Note (1): Evaluate compensable complications of diabetes separately unless they are part of the criteria used to support a 100-percent evaluation. Noncompensable complications are considered part of the diabetic process under DC 7913.
- Note (2): When diabetes mellitus has been conclusively diagnosed, do not request a glucose tolerance test solely for rating purposes.

# Diabetes Mellitus (VA Diagnostic Code 7913)

## Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a condition affecting the **endocrine system**. The VA rates it under **Diagnostic Code 7913**, found in **38 CFR § 4.119**.

The way the VA assigns a rating depends on how your diabetes is managed—for example, through diet, oral medication, or insulin—and whether it involves additional factors such as regulation of activities, hospitalizations, provider visits, or related complications.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA uses the following rating levels for diabetes mellitus:

### 100%
Requiring more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated.

### 60%
Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated.

### 40%
Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

### 20%
Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin and restricted diet, or; oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet.

### 10%
Manageable by restricted diet only.

---

## What the VA Looks For

When rating diabetes mellitus, the VA considers factors such as:

- **How the condition is managed** — restricted diet only, oral hypoglycemic agents, or one or more daily insulin injections.
- **Regulation of activities** — whether you must avoid strenuous occupational and recreational activities.
- **Episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions** — including how often they require hospitalizations or visits to a diabetic care provider.
- **Weight and strength** — whether there is progressive loss.
- **Complications** — whether related complications would be compensable if evaluated separately.

### Important Notes

- **Note (1):** Compensable complications of diabetes are evaluated separately unless they are part of the criteria used to support a 100-percent evaluation. Noncompensable complications are considered part of the diabetic process under DC 7913.
- **Note (2):** When diabetes mellitus has been conclusively diagnosed, a glucose tolerance test is not requested solely for rating purposes.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.119