Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma Residuals

DC 7915Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7915

Ongoing health effects from a benign pituitary gland tumor that does not make excess hormones but can cause hormone deficiencies and vision problems. The VA rates pituitary adenoma residuals based on the hormone deficiencies and other body systems affected.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 7915

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.119, DC 7915. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

Your pituitary adenoma residuals cause severe hormone deficiency affecting your ability to function, complete visual loss, or active malignant tumor.

What the VA looks for

Severe panhypopituitarism requiring multiple hormone replacements
Complete or near-complete visual field loss
Malignant transformation documented
Precludes more than sedentary activity
Adrenal crisis risk requiring emergency protocols
Severe diabetes insipidus

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting comprehensive hormone testing after surgery — the pituitary controls thyroid, adrenal, growth hormone, and reproductive hormones, and each deficiency may warrant a separate rating.
⚠Not getting visual field testing — pituitary tumors commonly compress the optic chiasm and cause visual field cuts that are separately ratable under the eye rating criteria.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — pituitary adenoma residuals can cause diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and growth hormone deficiency, each rated separately.
⚠Not requesting regular follow-up MRI scans — recurrent tumor growth changes the rating evaluation and may support a higher rating.

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…

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 7915

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

Your pituitary adenoma residuals cause severe hormone deficiency affecting your ability to function, complete visual loss, or active malignant tumor.

What the VA looks for

Severe panhypopituitarism requiring multiple hormone replacements
Complete or near-complete visual field loss
Malignant transformation documented
Precludes more than sedentary activity
Adrenal crisis risk requiring emergency protocols
Severe diabetes insipidus

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting comprehensive hormone testing after surgery — the pituitary controls thyroid, adrenal, growth hormone, and reproductive hormones, and each deficiency may warrant a separate rating.

⚠Not getting visual field testing — pituitary tumors commonly compress the optic chiasm and cause visual field cuts that are separately ratable under the eye rating criteria.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — pituitary adenoma residuals can cause diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and growth hormone deficiency, each rated separately.

⚠Not requesting regular follow-up MRI scans — recurrent tumor growth changes the rating evaluation and may support a higher rating.