Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency)

DC 7911Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7911

A condition where your adrenal glands do not make enough cortisol and other hormones. The VA rates Addison's disease based on the treatment you need and how often you have adrenal crises.

Rating Levels

Your Addison's disease causes 3 or more adrenal crises per year, or your crises are severe enough to prevent you from working during episodes.

What the VA looks for

3 or more adrenal crises per year documented
Hospitalizations for adrenal crisis
Inability to work during crisis episodes
Frequent emergency treatment records
Documentation of crisis frequency and severity

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not carrying and documenting your emergency injection kit (Solu-Cortef) — having to carry emergency medication and wearing a medical alert bracelet shows the severity of your condition.
⚠Not documenting every adrenal crisis event, including emergency room visits, urgent care, and episodes managed at home with stress doses — the rating depends on crisis frequency.
⚠Not connecting Addison's disease to service-related causes such as autoimmune conditions triggered by service, infections, or medications used during service.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — Addison's disease can cause or worsen depression, fatigue, low blood pressure, and bone loss.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Endocrine Diseases (Other Than Thyroid, Parathyroid, Diabetes)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…