Veterans Crisis Line Call 988, Press 1 · Text 838255 · Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net
Loading C&P exam preparation guides…
Free tool · 282 guides · DBQ-aligned
The VA orders this exam to verify your diagnosis and measure how severe it is right now. It can shape your rating and your monthly compensation — but it does not decide your claim. A rating specialist weighs it against your full record, and if the exam does not reflect your condition, you can say so and ask the VA to correct it.
When is your exam?
Set the date and this page becomes a plan — the preparation steps get paced across the days you have left. It stays in this browser; no account, nothing sent anywhere.
A condition caused by too much cortisol, often from long-term steroid use or an adrenal or pituitary tumour. DC 7907 rates it on specific physical findings — striae, obesity, moon face, glucose intolerance and vascular fragility at 30%, and proximal muscle wasting that prevents rising from a squat, climbing stairs, rising from a deep chair or raising the arms at 60% and 100%. Every evaluation under this code runs for six months following initial diagnosis, after which the rating moves to residuals.
The percentages this diagnostic code can be rated at. Which one applies depends on the findings — no tool here can tell you in advance.
Rated under 38 CFR 4.119, DC 7907. The examiner records findings on the DBQ; a rating specialist makes the decision.
| Rating | Rating criteria | What that means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | In every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met. | Your Cushing’s syndrome does not show the full set DC 7907’s 30% requires — striae, obesity, moon face, glucose intolerance and vascular fragility together — and there is no proximal upper or lower extremity muscle wasting stopping you rising from a squat, climbing stairs, rising from a deep chair or raising your arms. A veteran whose cortisol excess resolved after surgery, or after the steroid causing it was stopped, commonly lands here. DC 7907 prints no 0% rung of its own; § 4.31 supplies it: no monthly payment, but the condition is on record and a later increase runs from it. The lowest compensable level under this code is 30 percent. |
What supports this level
| ||
| 30% | 7907 Cushing's syndrome: With striae, obesity, moon face, glucose intolerance, and vascular fragility — 30. | Your Cushing's syndrome shows striae, obesity, moon face, glucose intolerance and vascular fragility. |
What supports this level
| ||
| 60% | 7907 Cushing's syndrome: Proximal upper or lower extremity muscle wasting that results in inability to rise from squatting position, climb stairs, rise from a deep chair without assistance, or raise arms — 60. | Your Cushing's syndrome has caused proximal upper or lower extremity muscle wasting that leaves you unable to rise from a squat, climb stairs, rise from a deep chair unaided, or raise your arms. |
What supports this level
| ||
| 100% | 7907 Cushing's syndrome: As active, progressive disease, including areas of osteoporosis, hypertension, and proximal upper and lower extremity muscle wasting that results in inability to rise from squatting position, climb stairs, rise from a deep chair without assistance, or raise arms — 100. | Your Cushing's syndrome is active and progressive, including osteoporosis, hypertension, and proximal upper AND lower extremity muscle wasting that leaves you unable to rise from a squat, climb stairs, rise from a deep chair unaided, or raise your arms. |
What supports this level
| ||
The middle column is our transcription of the criteria at 38 CFR 4.119, DC 7907, condensed for reading. Read the section itself on eCFR before relying on the exact wording. The items under each level are the kinds of evidence that document it — not a VA checklist, and not a prediction of which level applies to you.
Missing the six-month limit that applies to every rung — the Note says "The evaluations specifically indicated under this diagnostic code shall continue for six months following initial diagnosis. After six months, rate on residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code(s) within the appropriate body system(s)." That applies to the 100%, the 60% and the 30% alike.
Not separating the 60% from the 100% correctly — both turn on proximal muscle wasting with the same four functional losses. The 60% needs wasting in the upper OR lower extremities; the 100% needs active, progressive disease with osteoporosis, hypertension AND wasting in the upper AND lower extremities.
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.
These apply to every C&P exam, whatever the condition.