Toxic Nodular Goiter

DC 7901Endocrine38 CFR 4.119, DC 7901

An enlarged thyroid gland with one or more nodules that produce excess thyroid hormone. Unlike Graves’ disease, it is not autoimmune but can cause similar hyperthyroid symptoms.

Rating Levels

Your toxic nodular goiter causes thyroid enlargement with tachycardia exceeding 100 beats per minute, muscular weakness, loss of weight, and sympathetic nervous system symptoms, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms.

What the VA looks for

Thyroid enlargement confirmed on imaging
Tachycardia exceeding 100 beats per minute documented
Muscular weakness on examination
Documented weight loss
Sympathetic nervous system, cardiovascular, or GI symptoms
Compression symptoms (difficulty swallowing, breathing)

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting thyroid ultrasound to document nodules — imaging is critical for distinguishing toxic nodular goiter from other thyroid conditions.
⚠Not getting fine-needle aspiration biopsy to rule out cancer — if cancer is found, you may qualify for a higher rating under DC 7914.
⚠After treatment, you may develop hypothyroidism — file a new claim for the resulting condition.
⚠Not documenting compression symptoms (difficulty swallowing, breathing) from enlarged thyroid — these symptoms support higher ratings and may warrant separate claims.

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…

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Thyroid enlargement confirmed on imaging
Tachycardia exceeding 100 beats per minute documented
Muscular weakness on examination
Documented weight loss
Sympathetic nervous system, cardiovascular, or GI symptoms
Compression symptoms (difficulty swallowing, breathing)

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting thyroid ultrasound to document nodules — imaging is critical for distinguishing toxic nodular goiter from other thyroid conditions.

⚠Not getting fine-needle aspiration biopsy to rule out cancer — if cancer is found, you may qualify for a higher rating under DC 7914.

⚠After treatment, you may develop hypothyroidism — file a new claim for the resulting condition.

⚠Not documenting compression symptoms (difficulty swallowing, breathing) from enlarged thyroid — these symptoms support higher ratings and may warrant separate claims.