Cushing's Syndrome

DC 7907Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7907

A condition caused by too much cortisol in your body, often from long-term steroid medication use or an adrenal/pituitary tumor. The VA rates Cushing's syndrome based on the treatment required and how it affects other body systems.

Rating Levels

Your Cushing's syndrome is progressive and incapacitating, with severe involvement of multiple body systems despite treatment.

What the VA looks for

Progressive disease despite treatment
Severe multi-system involvement
Incapacitating symptoms preventing employment
Multiple secondary conditions documented
Frequent hospitalizations
Significant muscle wasting and weakness

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting all secondary conditions caused by excess cortisol — hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and muscle weakness may each warrant separate service-connected ratings.
⚠If Cushing's syndrome was caused by VA-prescribed steroids for a service-connected condition, document the medication history clearly — this supports a secondary service connection claim.
⚠Not getting bone density (DEXA) scans to document osteoporosis — cortisol excess weakens bones and this is a separately ratable condition.
⚠Not reporting the full impact of physical changes — weight gain, moon face, skin fragility, and muscle weakness all affect functioning and should be documented.

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…