Hyperthyroidism (Graves' Disease)

DC 7900Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7900

A condition where your thyroid gland makes too many hormones, causing rapid heartbeat, weight loss, nervousness, and tremors. Graves' disease is the most common form. The VA rates hyperthyroidism based on symptoms, treatment, and how it affects your heart and other organs.

Rating Levels

Your hyperthyroidism causes thyroid enlargement, rapid and irregular heartbeat (thyrotoxic heart disease), increased blood pressure, eye involvement (Graves ophthalmopathy), muscular weakness, loss of weight, and sympathetic nervous system, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal symptoms.

What the VA looks for

Thyroid enlargement
Tachycardia (resting heart rate above 100 bpm)
Eye signs (exophthalmos, lid lag, Graves ophthalmopathy)
Muscular weakness
Significant weight loss
Sympathetic nervous system symptoms
Cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms
Thyroid storm history

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your resting heart rate at multiple visits — tachycardia (heart rate above 100 bpm) is a key rating factor. Ask your doctor to record resting heart rate at every appointment.
⚠Not reporting eye symptoms — Graves ophthalmopathy (bulging eyes, double vision, eye pain) is a specific feature that supports higher ratings. Eye involvement may also warrant a separate rating.
⚠Not filing for residual hypothyroidism — many veterans treated with radioactive iodine or thyroid surgery develop hypothyroidism afterward, which is a separate ratable condition.
⚠Assuming you cannot get a rating once hyperthyroidism is treated — residual effects such as heart damage, osteoporosis, or eye changes from Graves disease may persist and be separately ratable.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Thyroid and Parathyroid Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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

Hyperthyroidism (Graves' Disease)

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Thyroid enlargement
Tachycardia (resting heart rate above 100 bpm)
Eye signs (exophthalmos, lid lag, Graves ophthalmopathy)
Muscular weakness
Significant weight loss
Sympathetic nervous system symptoms
Cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms
Thyroid storm history

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your resting heart rate at multiple visits — tachycardia (heart rate above 100 bpm) is a key rating factor. Ask your doctor to record resting heart rate at every appointment.

⚠Not reporting eye symptoms — Graves ophthalmopathy (bulging eyes, double vision, eye pain) is a specific feature that supports higher ratings. Eye involvement may also warrant a separate rating.

⚠Not filing for residual hypothyroidism — many veterans treated with radioactive iodine or thyroid surgery develop hypothyroidism afterward, which is a separate ratable condition.

⚠Assuming you cannot get a rating once hyperthyroidism is treated — residual effects such as heart damage, osteoporosis, or eye changes from Graves disease may persist and be separately ratable.