YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Hyperparathyroidism VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Hyperparathyroidism under diagnostic code 7904, in 38 CFR § 4.119 (endocrine system), and the schedule provides four evaluation levels for it: 100%, 60%, 10% and 0%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Hyperparathyroidism
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.
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.
- Diagnostic code
- 7904
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.119
- Schedule levels
- 100%, 60%, 10% and 0%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Hyperparathyroidism VA rating criteria (DC 7904)
Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
IN THE REGULATION’S OWN WORDS
What 38 CFR also says about Hyperparathyroidism
The notes 38 CFR Part 4 prints with these criteria, quoted. They govern how the evaluation is made without being a rating level themselves.
- “Note (1): After six months, rate on residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code(s) within the appropriate body system(s) based on a VA examination.”DC 7904
- “Note (2): Where surgical intervention is indicated, this evaluation shall continue until the day of surgery, at which time the provisions pertaining to a 100-percent evaluation shall apply.”DC 7904
- “Note (3): Where surgical intervention is not indicated, this evaluation shall continue for six months after pharmacologic treatment begins. After six months, rate on residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code(s) within the appropriate body system(s) based on a VA examination.”DC 7904
- “Note (4): 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.”DC 7904
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Hyperparathyroidism claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Hyperparathyroidism?
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Hyperparathyroidism claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim2 tips
- 01
Submit both imaging and hormone labs together, since this condition specifically requires showing both the bone changes and their underlying endocrine cause.
- 02
Include any nephrology or endocrinology consultations, since the underlying cause (often hyperparathyroidism or kidney disease) needs to be established.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Confusing the condition with osteoporosis or a malignancy.
- 02
Lack of an endocrine workup to establish the underlying cause.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Submitting without lab results or imaging.
- 02
Not linking the condition to its endocrine origin.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
Osteitis fibrosa develops as bones gradually weaken over time, and can present as fractures or visible deformity.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Hyperparathyroidism by the numbers
- 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.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Hyperparathyroidism
Is Hyperparathyroidism a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Hyperparathyroidism under VASRD diagnostic code 7904 (Endocrine System). 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.
What VA disability rating can I get for Hyperparathyroidism?
Possible VA ratings for Hyperparathyroidism are 100%, 60%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 100%: "For six months from date of discharge following surgery." Note (1): "After six months, rate on residuals under the appropriate diagnostic code(s) within the appropriate body system(s) based on a VA examination."; 60%: "Hypercalcemia (indicated by at least one of the following: Total Ca greater than 12 mg/dL (3-3.5 mmol/L), Ionized Ca greater than 5.6 mg/dL (2-2.5 mmol/L), creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min, bone mineral density T-score less than 2.5 SD (below mean) at any site or previous fragility fracture)." Note (2): where surgery is indicated, this evaluation continues until the day of surgery, when the 100 percent provisions take over. Note (3): where surgery is not indicated, it continues for six months after pharmacologic treatment begins, after which residuals are rated; 10%: "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.".
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 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.
Which DBQ is used for Hyperparathyroidism?
VA's Thyroid and Parathyroid Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
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.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.119, Schedule of ratings, endocrine system (Diagnostic Code 7904)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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