Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7913
Diabetes Mellitus Secondary to Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Diabetes Mellitus when it develops after Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System.
Why Diabetes Mellitus Is Linked to Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System
Metabolism slowdown
Primary condition · VASRD 7915
Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System
DC 7915 covers a benign — non-cancerous — neoplasm in any specified part of the endocrine system. The code states no percentages of its own; its whole entry is the instruction "Rate as residuals of endocrine dysfunction." So the evaluation comes from the endocrine dysfunction the growth leaves behind, not from the tumor's size or from the fact that it is benign. Where a neoplasm of the same system is malignant, the code is DC 7914 instead, which carries its own 100 percent evaluation.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7913
Diabetes Mellitus
A metabolic condition where blood sugar is chronically high due to poor insulin production or use.
Diabetes Mellitus VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Diabetes Mellitus the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System — severity of Diabetes Mellitus itself determines the percentage.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Multiple daily insulin injections, activity limits, and frequent hospitalizations or weekly care |
| 60% | Daily insulin and activity limits, with hospitalizations or twice-monthly care |
| 40% | Daily insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities |
| 20% | Insulin or oral medication, plus a restricted diet |
| 10% | Controlled by diet alone |
Example combined rating
30% Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System + 40% Diabetes Mellitus = 58%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 30% and 40% combine to 58%, not 70%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Diabetes Mellitus Secondary Claim
- •VA or private endocrinologist records showing insulin use and complications
- •Hospital records of diabetic crises (e.g., hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis)
- •Lab work showing chronic hyperglycemia (e.g., A1C reports)
- •A1C test results and blood glucose logs showing your level of control over time.
- •Endocrinology treatment notes documenting your diagnosis and management plan.
- •Medication logs showing insulin or oral medication use, which is central to determining the rating tier.
Common questions about Diabetes Mellitus secondary to Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System
- Can Diabetes Mellitus be service-connected as secondary to Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Metabolism slowdown You'll need a current Diabetes Mellitus diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Benign Neoplasms of Endocrin…
- What VA rating can I get for Diabetes Mellitus as a secondary condition?
- Diabetes Mellitus is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7913 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Diabetes Mellitus itself, not on the severity of Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System.
- How does a secondary Diabetes Mellitus claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 30% rating for Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System combined with a 40% rating for Diabetes Mellitus (example figures) produces a combined rating of 58%, not 70%. Approving Diabetes Mellitus as secondary still typically r…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Diabetes Mellitus as secondary to Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Diabetes Mellitus diagnosis includes: VA or private endocrinologist records showing insulin use and complications; Hospital records of diabetic crises (e.g., hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis); Lab work showing chronic hyperglycemia (e.g., A1C reports); A1C test results and blood glucose…
Primary condition
Full Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System guide
Secondary condition
Full Diabetes Mellitus guide
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See how Benign Neoplasms of Endocrine System and Diabetes Mellitus combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
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