Hypoparathyroidism

DC 7905Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7905

A condition where your parathyroid glands do not make enough parathyroid hormone, causing low calcium levels in your blood. Low calcium can cause muscle cramps, tingling, spasms, and in severe cases, seizures or heart rhythm problems. The VA rates hypoparathyroidism based on how well your calcium levels are controlled and the complications you experience.

Rating Levels

Your low calcium cannot be controlled even with maximum treatment. You have life-threatening complications such as seizures, severe heart problems, or organ damage that prevent you from working or caring for yourself.

What the VA looks for

Refractory hypocalcemia despite maximum treatment
Seizures from severe hypocalcemia
Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias
Frequent hospitalizations
End-organ damage (renal calcifications, basal ganglia calcifications)
Unable to perform daily activities
Precludes employment

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting every episode of muscle cramps, tingling, or spasms — these symptoms prove that your calcium is not well-controlled even with medication. Keep a symptom diary and report them to your doctor.
⚠Not getting regular EKGs (heart tracings) — a prolonged QT interval caused by low calcium is important evidence for a 60% or higher rating. Ask your doctor to order an EKG at your appointments.
⚠Not connecting hypoparathyroidism to thyroid or neck surgery during service — the parathyroid glands are often accidentally damaged during thyroid surgery, making this a common secondary condition.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — low calcium from hypoparathyroidism can cause cataracts, kidney stones, depression, and anxiety, each of which may be separately ratable.
⚠Not bringing serial lab results showing fluctuating calcium levels — a single normal calcium test does not tell the whole story. Bring lab results from multiple visits showing that your levels go up and down.

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…

Hypoparathyroidism

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Refractory hypocalcemia despite maximum treatment
Seizures from severe hypocalcemia
Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias
Frequent hospitalizations
End-organ damage (renal calcifications, basal ganglia calcifications)
Unable to perform daily activities
Precludes employment

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting every episode of muscle cramps, tingling, or spasms — these symptoms prove that your calcium is not well-controlled even with medication. Keep a symptom diary and report them to your doctor.

⚠Not getting regular EKGs (heart tracings) — a prolonged QT interval caused by low calcium is important evidence for a 60% or higher rating. Ask your doctor to order an EKG at your appointments.

⚠Not connecting hypoparathyroidism to thyroid or neck surgery during service — the parathyroid glands are often accidentally damaged during thyroid surgery, making this a common secondary condition.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — low calcium from hypoparathyroidism can cause cataracts, kidney stones, depression, and anxiety, each of which may be separately ratable.

⚠Not bringing serial lab results showing fluctuating calcium levels — a single normal calcium test does not tell the whole story. Bring lab results from multiple visits showing that your levels go up and down.