Secondary Adrenal Cortical Insufficiency

DC 7911Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7911

A condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol, often caused by long-term steroid medication use or pituitary problems. Requires lifelong cortisol replacement therapy.

Rating Levels

Your adrenal insufficiency requires high-dose corticosteroids and you experience frequent adrenal crises, or you cannot tolerate physical or emotional stress without medical intervention.

What the VA looks for

High-dose corticosteroid therapy documented
Frequent adrenal crises requiring emergency treatment
Hospitalizations for adrenal crisis
Emergency injection (Solu-Cortef) use documented
Inability to tolerate physical or emotional stress
Significant impact on employment and daily activities

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the number and severity of adrenal crises — these are critical for higher ratings.
⚠Not reporting stress dose requirements and emergency injection use.
⚠Not connecting to long-term steroid use for a service-connected condition (common secondary cause).
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions like osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and mood changes.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Endocrine Diseases (Other Than Thyroid, Parathyroid, or Diabetes Mellitus)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…