Thyroidectomy Residuals

DC 7903Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7903

Ongoing health effects after partial or total thyroid removal, requiring lifelong hormone replacement medication. The VA rates thyroidectomy residuals based on your symptoms and how well the condition is controlled with medication.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on the type and intensity of treatment you require. Higher ratings correspond to more aggressive treatment regimens, such as daily medication, insulin dependence, or the need for ongoing medical management.

Diagnostic code

DC 7903

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.119, DC 7903. 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 thyroidectomy residuals are severe with cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement, mental disturbance, bradycardia, and sleepiness that frequently interrupts daily activities.

What the VA looks for

Severe myxedema or hypothyroid state
Frequent interruption of routine activities by sleep
Severe cardiovascular involvement
Significant mental disturbance (dementia-level)
Severe muscular weakness
Marked cold intolerance
Bradycardia below 60 bpm

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting ongoing symptoms despite medication — many veterans still have fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and cold intolerance even with levothyroxine, and these symptoms support ratings above 10%.
⚠Not getting your resting heart rate documented — bradycardia (below 60 bpm) is a key factor for 60% and 100% ratings, so ask your doctor to record it at every visit.
⚠Not filing for the condition that caused the thyroidectomy — thyroid cancer, Graves disease, or goiter may each be separately ratable.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — thyroidectomy can cause hypoparathyroidism (damaged parathyroid glands), vocal cord damage, depression, and weight-related joint problems.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Thyroid and Parathyroid Conditions

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 7903

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Severe myxedema or hypothyroid state
Frequent interruption of routine activities by sleep
Severe cardiovascular involvement
Significant mental disturbance (dementia-level)
Severe muscular weakness
Marked cold intolerance
Bradycardia below 60 bpm

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting ongoing symptoms despite medication — many veterans still have fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and cold intolerance even with levothyroxine, and these symptoms support ratings above 10%.

⚠Not getting your resting heart rate documented — bradycardia (below 60 bpm) is a key factor for 60% and 100% ratings, so ask your doctor to record it at every visit.

⚠Not filing for the condition that caused the thyroidectomy — thyroid cancer, Graves disease, or goiter may each be separately ratable.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — thyroidectomy can cause hypoparathyroidism (damaged parathyroid glands), vocal cord damage, depression, and weight-related joint problems.