Thyroid Enlargement (Nontoxic Goiter)

DC 7902Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7902

A condition where your thyroid gland grows larger than normal but does not produce too much or too little thyroid hormone. The enlarged thyroid (goiter) can press on your throat and cause difficulty swallowing, breathing, or speaking. The VA rates nontoxic goiter based on the size of the goiter and how much it affects swallowing, breathing, and daily life.

Rating Levels

You have a large goiter that causes significant problems — you have serious difficulty swallowing or breathing, or the goiter requires treatment such as surgery or radioactive iodine.

What the VA looks for

Large goiter confirmed on imaging
Significant dysphagia requiring dietary modification
Dyspnea (breathing difficulty) or stridor
Tracheal deviation or compression on imaging
Surgical consultation or treatment recommended
Impact on daily activities and nutrition documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a thyroid ultrasound to document the actual size of the goiter — physical examination alone may underestimate size. Imaging provides objective evidence the VA needs.
⚠Not reporting swallowing problems to your doctor — many veterans live with difficulty swallowing and do not mention it. Tell your doctor about any trouble with solid foods, liquids, or pills.
⚠Not documenting voice changes or hoarseness — if the goiter presses on your vocal cord nerve (recurrent laryngeal nerve), hoarseness supports a higher rating.
⚠Assuming you need abnormal thyroid levels to get a rating — nontoxic goiter means your thyroid hormone levels can be completely normal. The rating is based on the size of the goiter and the symptoms it causes, not hormone levels.
⚠Not connecting the goiter to service — exposure to certain chemicals, iodine deficiency in deployment areas, or radiation during service can cause thyroid enlargement. Document the connection.

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…

Thyroid Enlargement (Nontoxic Goiter)

Rating Levels

You have a large goiter that causes significant problems — you have serious difficulty swallowing or breathing, or the goiter requires treatment such as surgery or radioactive iodine.

What the VA looks for

Large goiter confirmed on imaging
Significant dysphagia requiring dietary modification
Dyspnea (breathing difficulty) or stridor
Tracheal deviation or compression on imaging
Surgical consultation or treatment recommended
Impact on daily activities and nutrition documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a thyroid ultrasound to document the actual size of the goiter — physical examination alone may underestimate size. Imaging provides objective evidence the VA needs.

⚠Not reporting swallowing problems to your doctor — many veterans live with difficulty swallowing and do not mention it. Tell your doctor about any trouble with solid foods, liquids, or pills.

⚠Not documenting voice changes or hoarseness — if the goiter presses on your vocal cord nerve (recurrent laryngeal nerve), hoarseness supports a higher rating.

⚠Assuming you need abnormal thyroid levels to get a rating — nontoxic goiter means your thyroid hormone levels can be completely normal. The rating is based on the size of the goiter and the symptoms it causes, not hormone levels.

⚠Not connecting the goiter to service — exposure to certain chemicals, iodine deficiency in deployment areas, or radiation during service can cause thyroid enlargement. Document the connection.