VASRD 7904 · Musculoskeletal
Hyperparathyroidism VA Disability Rating
Hyperparathyroidism is overproduction of parathyroid hormone, which pulls calcium out of bone and raises it in the blood, producing fatigue, nausea, constipation, kidney stones, reduced kidney function and progressive bone loss. Its classic skeletal form — osteitis fibrosa cystica, with bone pain, resorption and brown-tumour cysts — has no diagnostic code of its own and is rated as a residual of this condition under DC 7904.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | A flat six months at 100 percent after parathyroid surgery |
| 60% | Hypercalcemia by lab value, or reduced kidney clearance, low bone density or a past fragility fracture |
| 10% | Symptoms persisting after surgery, or controlled only by continuous medication when surgery is not an option |
| 0% | Service-connected but currently causing no symptoms |
How the VA Evaluates Hyperparathyroidism
DC 7904 is structured around treatment rather than symptom severity. A 100 percent evaluation runs "for six months from date of discharge following surgery", and Note (1) then requires the rating to move to residuals: "After six months, rate on residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code(s) within the appropriate body system(s) based on a VA examination." The 60 percent evaluation is defined entirely by objective findings — total calcium above 12 mg/dL, ionized calcium above 5.6 mg/dL, creatinine clearance below 60 mL/min, a bone mineral density T-score below 2.5 SD, or a previous fragility fracture, any one of which suffices — and Notes (2) and (3) control how long it lasts: where surgery is indicated it continues until the day of surgery, and where surgery is not indicated it continues for six months after pharmacologic treatment begins. Ten percent covers "symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, nausea, or constipation that occur despite surgery; or in individuals who are not candidates for surgery but require continuous medication for control", and an asymptomatic condition is zero percent. Note (4) is where the skeletal disease is actually evaluated: "Following surgery or other treatment, evaluate chronic residuals, such as nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), decreased renal function, fractures, vision problems, and cardiovascular complications, under the appropriate diagnostic codes." So osteitis fibrosa cystica, established bone loss and any pathological fracture are rated under the musculoskeletal codes for the parts affected — DC 5013 for osteoporosis residuals, the spine formula for a vertebral fracture — and combined with whatever DC 7904 itself provides. Osteitis deformans (Paget's disease, DC 5016) is a different disease with a different mechanism and should not be conflated with it.
Approval outlook
Low – typically secondary to hyperparathyroidism or renal failure.
Veterans service-connected
~140 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Serum calcium (total and ionized) and intact parathyroid hormone results with their dates, since the 60 percent criterion is defined by specific numeric thresholds rather than by symptoms.
- •Creatinine clearance results and a DEXA scan with the T-score, each of which independently satisfies the 60 percent criterion.
- •Documentation of any fragility fracture, which also independently satisfies the 60 percent criterion.
- •The parathyroidectomy operative report and discharge date, because the 100 percent evaluation runs six months from discharge, and any surgeon's note stating the veteran is not a surgical candidate.
- •Imaging or biopsy showing osteitis fibrosa cystica, subperiosteal resorption or brown tumours, together with range-of-motion measurements for the affected parts, since Note (4) sends the skeletal residuals to the musculoskeletal codes.
- •Records of kidney stones, reduced renal function, cataract or cardiovascular complications, each of which is rated separately under Note (4).
Strategy Tips
- •Submit both imaging and hormone labs together, since this condition specifically requires showing both the bone changes and their underlying endocrine cause.
- •Include any nephrology or endocrinology consultations, since the underlying cause (often hyperparathyroidism or kidney disease) needs to be established.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Confusing the condition with osteoporosis or a malignancy.
- •Lack of an endocrine workup to establish the underlying cause.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Submitting without lab results or imaging.
- •Not linking the condition to its endocrine origin.
Onset Patterns
- •Osteitis fibrosa develops as bones gradually weaken over time, and can present as fractures or visible deformity.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Hyperparathyroidism. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Fractures
Weakened bone structure leads to higher fracture risk
Hyperparathyroidism
Common underlying cause of bone breakdown
Common questions about Hyperparathyroidism
- Is Hyperparathyroidism a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Hyperparathyroidism under VASRD diagnostic code 7904 (Musculoskeletal). Hyperparathyroidism is overproduction of parathyroid hormone, which pulls calcium out of bone and raises it in the blood, producing fatigue, nausea, constipation, kidney stones, reduced kidney function and progressive bone loss.…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Hyperparathyroidism?
- Possible VA ratings for Hyperparathyroidism are 100%, 60%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 100%: A flat six months at 100 percent after parathyroid surgery; 60%: Hypercalcemia by lab value, or reduced kidney clearance, low bone density or a past fragility fracture; 10%: Symptoms persisting after surgery, or controlled only by cont…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Hyperparathyroidism?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Hyperparathyroidism at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 140 veterans are service-connected for Hyperparathyroidism. Estimated approval outlook: Low – typically secondary to hyperparathyroidism or renal failure.
- What evidence helps prove Hyperparathyroidism for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Hyperparathyroidism claim includes: Serum calcium (total and ionized) and intact parathyroid hormone results with their dates, since the 60 percent criterion is defined by specific numeric thresholds rather than by symptoms.; Creatinine clearance results and a DEXA scan with the T-score, each of…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Hyperparathyroidism?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Hyperparathyroidism: Submitting without lab results or imaging.; Not linking the condition to its endocrine origin..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Hyperparathyroidism?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Hyperparathyroidism include: Fractures, Hyperparathyroidism. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.119 — Schedule of ratings — endocrine system (Diagnostic Code 7904)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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