Hypothyroidism VA Disability Rating: Criteria, Evidence & Pay

What is hypothyroidism and how does it affect veterans?

Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that controls metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, and many other essential functions. When it underperforms, virtually every system in your body slows down.

Veterans with hypothyroidism often experience profound fatigue that goes far beyond normal tiredness. You may find yourself gaining weight despite not changing your eating habits, feeling cold when others are comfortable, experiencing constipation, developing dry skin, and struggling with brain fog that makes concentration difficult. The condition can also contribute to depression, muscle weakness, and joint pain.

Military service can contribute to hypothyroidism through several pathways. Exposure to radiation, environmental toxins, and certain chemicals during service can damage thyroid function. Head and neck injuries from combat or training can affect the thyroid or pituitary gland. Chronic stress during service can also disrupt the hormonal systems that regulate thyroid function. Some veterans develop autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease) that may be triggered or worsened by service-related factors.

VA diagnostic code for hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7903 per 38 CFR § 4.119, Schedule of Ratings — Endocrine System.

DC 7903 rates hypothyroidism based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. The rating criteria progress from mild symptoms requiring medication to severe multi-system involvement that is debilitating.

Rating criteria for hypothyroidism

The VA assigns hypothyroidism ratings at five possible levels:

0% rating

Criteria: Diagnosed hypothyroidism that is asymptomatic or nearly asymptomatic with treatment.

Monthly payment: $0 (but establishes service connection for future increases and secondary claims)

What this looks like: Your hypothyroidism is confirmed by blood work but well-controlled with medication to the point where you experience minimal symptoms. This rating is uncommon since most veterans on thyroid medication still experience some residual fatigue.

10% rating — $180.42/month

Criteria: Fatigability, or continuous medication required for control.

What this looks like: You take daily thyroid medication (typically levothyroxine) and experience ongoing fatigue that affects your energy throughout the day. Even with medication, you feel more tired than normal and may need to rest more frequently. This is the most commonly assigned rating level.

30% rating — $552.47/month

Criteria: Fatigability, constipation, and mental sluggishness.

What this looks like: Your hypothyroidism symptoms are more pronounced despite treatment. You experience persistent fatigue, ongoing constipation that does not fully resolve with treatment, and noticeable mental sluggishness — difficulty concentrating, slower cognitive processing, and brain fog that affects your ability to function at work and in daily life. All three symptoms should be documented in your medical records.

60% rating — $1,435.02/month

Criteria: Muscular weakness, mental disturbance, and weight gain.

What this looks like: Your hypothyroidism causes significant muscular weakness that limits physical activity, mental disturbances beyond simple sluggishness (such as difficulty with memory, emotional instability, or confusion), and weight gain that persists despite efforts to manage it through diet and exercise. These symptoms meaningfully impair your occupational and social functioning.

100% rating — $3,938.58/month

Criteria: Cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement, mental disturbance (dementia, slowing of thought, depression), bradycardia (less than 60 beats per minute), and sleepiness.

What this looks like: Your hypothyroidism is severe and affects multiple body systems simultaneously. You cannot tolerate cold temperatures, have significant muscle weakness, experience cardiovascular problems including a slow heart rate, suffer from serious mental disturbance such as dementia or severe depression, and are excessively sleepy. This represents myxedema or near-myxedema level hypothyroidism and is rare with modern treatment.

What evidence do you need?

Service records

• Service treatment records showing thyroid-related symptoms, blood work, or thyroid complaints
• Records of exposure to radiation, environmental toxins, or chemicals that affect thyroid function
• Documentation of head or neck injuries that may have affected the thyroid or pituitary gland
• Records showing onset of symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, or cold intolerance during service

Medical evidence

• Thyroid function blood tests (TSH, Free T4, Free T3) showing abnormal levels and the need for treatment
• Prescription records for thyroid replacement medication (levothyroxine, liothyronine, etc.)
• Documentation of symptom progression over time despite treatment
• Records of weight changes, particularly unexplained weight gain
• If claiming 60% or higher: documentation of muscular weakness through physical examination or testing
• If claiming 100%: cardiovascular records showing bradycardia, neuropsychological testing showing cognitive impairment

Nexus letter

A medical opinion connecting your hypothyroidism to military service. The nexus letter should explain the likely cause — whether direct onset during service, radiation or toxin exposure, physical trauma to the thyroid, or secondary to another service-connected condition.

Buddy statements

Statements from family members or coworkers describing observable symptoms — chronic fatigue, cognitive changes, weight gain, cold intolerance, and how these symptoms have affected your daily functioning and relationships. People close to you often notice the mental sluggishness and personality changes that you may attribute to normal aging.

C&P exam tips for hypothyroidism

What the examiner evaluates

• Confirmation of hypothyroidism diagnosis through lab work
• Current treatment and medication regimen
• Severity of symptoms including fatigue, constipation, mental sluggishness, weight gain
• Impact on physical and mental functioning
• Any cardiovascular involvement (heart rate, blood pressure)
• Connection to military service or other service-connected conditions

How to prepare

1. Bring your lab results. Have copies of your thyroid panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3) over time, showing both your initial diagnosis and ongoing monitoring results.
2. Document your medication history. Bring records of every thyroid medication and dosage change. Increasing dosages over time supports a worsening condition.
3. Track your symptoms daily. Keep a log of fatigue levels, constipation episodes, brain fog, and cold intolerance for at least a month before the exam. Specific examples are more persuasive than general complaints.
4. Report cognitive symptoms. Mental sluggishness and brain fog are specifically in the rating criteria. Describe difficulty concentrating at work, forgetting tasks, or slower thinking.
5. Document weight changes. Bring records showing weight gain that coincided with your thyroid condition, especially if it persists despite dietary efforts.
6. Mention all related symptoms. Do not assume the examiner will connect the dots. Explicitly report fatigue, constipation, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss, muscle weakness, and mood changes.

Common secondary conditions linked to hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism affects multiple body systems, making secondary condition claims an important part of maximizing your combined rating:

• Depression — Hypothyroidism directly affects brain chemistry and is strongly linked to depression. If your thyroid condition causes or worsens depressive symptoms, this can be claimed as a secondary condition with its own rating.
• Sleep apnea — Hypothyroidism contributes to weight gain and soft tissue changes that increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. The connection between thyroid dysfunction and sleep-disordered breathing is well-documented.
• Weight-related conditions — The metabolic slowdown from hypothyroidism causes weight gain that can lead to or worsen conditions like sleep apnea, joint problems, and cardiovascular issues.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome — Hypothyroidism can cause fluid retention and tissue swelling that compresses the median nerve, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Cardiovascular conditions — Hypothyroidism affects cholesterol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, contributing to cardiovascular disease over time.

How to calculate your monthly payment

Your total VA disability payment depends on your combined rating across all service-connected conditions. If hypothyroidism is part of a broader picture of service-connected disabilities, your combined rating will reflect all conditions together.

Use our VA disability calculator to:

• Calculate your combined rating with multiple conditions
• Understand how VA math combines ratings (30% + 30% does not equal 60%)
• Estimate your monthly payment including dependents

For the full breakdown of payment amounts at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.