Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism)
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960E-3 (Thyroid and Parathyroid Conditions) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism), based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism)
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.119, DC 7900 (hyperthyroidism) and DC 7903 (hypothyroidism). Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Hyperthyroidism (DC 7900): 30 percent for six months after initial diagnosis, then residuals are rated under the appropriate body-system code. Hypothyroidism (DC 7903): 30 percent for hypothyroidism without myxedema.
Hypothyroidism (DC 7903): manifesting as myxedema (cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement such as hypotension, bradycardia, or pericardial effusion, and mental disturbance such as dementia, slowing of thought, or depression). Continues for six months beyond crisis stabilization, then residuals are rated under the appropriate body-system codes.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
30%
New monthly
$552
Change
+$552
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
Annals of Epidemiology, 2003 · PMID 12821272
Finding: Among 1,009 Operation Ranch Hand veterans (who sprayed TCDD-contaminated Agent Orange) compared with 1,429 unexposed Air Force comparison veterans, those in the high serum TCDD category had significantly increased TSH levels, with a significant increasing trend in TSH across the three Ranch Hand TCDD exposure categories at multiple examinations.
Why it helps: Directly studies Vietnam-era veterans and supports an association between Agent Orange/TCDD exposure and altered thyroid hormone function, helpful context for a direct service-connection theory tied to herbicide exposure.
Endocrine Practice, 2016 · PMID 27176142
Finding: In a 14-year analysis of 19,592 thyroid cancer patients across the national VA system, the proportion reporting Agent Orange exposure was significantly higher than in the general VA population (10.0% vs 6.2%, P < .0001).
Why it helps: A veteran-specific VA dataset showing thyroid cancer patients more often report Agent Orange exposure, supporting an association relevant to a direct exposure-based claim.
Endocrine Practice, 2020 · nexus to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) · PMID 33471719
Finding: Meta-analysis of 10 studies (373 PTSD patients, 301 controls) found higher free T3 (+0.28 pg/mL, P = .001) and total T3 (+18.90 ng/dL, P = .005) in PTSD; the effect was stronger in combat-related PTSD (FT3 +0.36 pg/mL; TT3 +31.62 ng/dL) and absent in non-combat PTSD.
Why it helps: Authored partly by VA researchers, it supports an association between PTSD (especially combat-related) and altered thyroid function, useful for a secondary-to-PTSD nexus theory.
The Lancet, 2012 · nexus to psychiatric medication (lithium for service-connected mood disorders / PTSD / bipolar disorder) · PMID 22265699
Finding: Across 385 studies, lithium treatment markedly increased the prevalence of clinical hypothyroidism versus placebo (odds ratio 5.78, 95% CI 2.00-16.67, P = .001) and raised TSH on average by about 4.0 mIU/mL.
Why it helps: Supports an association between lithium, a medication commonly prescribed for service-connected mental health conditions, and hypothyroidism, relevant to a secondary claim caused by treatment for a service-connected disability.
Circulation, 2017 · nexus to atrial fibrillation (condition that may arise secondary to thyroid dysfunction) · PMID 29061566
Finding: Individual-participant-data meta-analysis of 30,085 people from 11 cohorts (278,955 person-years) found that higher free thyroxine within the euthyroid range was associated with increased incident atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% CI 1.26-1.66, highest vs lowest fT4 quartile).
Why it helps: Supports an association between higher thyroid hormone levels and new-onset atrial fibrillation, useful when claiming a cardiac condition as secondary to a service-connected thyroid disorder.
Annals of African Medicine, 2022 · nexus to obstructive sleep apnea · PMID 36412342
Finding: In 100 hypothyroid patients screened with polysomnography, 74% had obstructive sleep apnea (40.5% of cases severe), and untreated patients had significantly more OSA than those on thyroid treatment (85.3% vs 66.1%, P = .030).
Why it helps: A single-center study supporting an association between hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea, relevant to claiming sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected thyroid disorder (interpret cautiously given the small sample).
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism)
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism). A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) as a Secondary Condition
Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism)claim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) should also be looking at:
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Draft your Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism).
Thyroid Disorders (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism) Claim Guide by State
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.