Thyroid disorder

A thyroid disorder is an endocrine (hormone) condition where the thyroid gland in your neck makes too much or too little hormone. To service-connect any condition, the VA generally looks for a current diagnosis, an in-service event or illness, and a medical link ("nexus") tying the two together. The VA rates thyroid conditions under the endocrine section of its rating schedule, 38 CFR 4.119, which assigns a separate diagnostic code to each main type.

The two most common codes are 7900 for hyperthyroidism (too much hormone, including Graves' disease) and 7903 for hypothyroidism (too little hormone). For hyperthyroidism, the VA assigns a 30% rating for the first six months after the initial diagnosis, then rates the leftover residuals or treatment complications under the body system they affect. For hypothyroidism, the VA assigns 30% for the condition without myxedema (and keeps that rating for six months after diagnosis, then rates residuals), or 100% when it shows up as myxedema — a severe form with cold intolerance, muscle weakness, heart problems, and mental changes such as slowed thinking or depression. Related effects like eye, heart, neck-scar, or mental symptoms can be rated separately under their own codes, which is what often drives a higher overall combined evaluation. Thyroid enlargement is rated under codes 7901 (toxic) and 7902 (nontoxic).

Most thyroid disorders do not have a built-in presumptive pathway under Agent Orange, burn pits, Camp Lejeune, or the PACT Act, so a nexus usually still has to be shown. One important exception is radiation: cancer of the thyroid is on the VA's list of diseases that are presumptively service-connected for a "radiation-exposed veteran," as long as the other requirements are met. When a presumption applies, it can ease or remove the burden of proving the nexus yourself.

This is general educational information about how the VA's rules work — it is not legal advice or a VA decision about your individual claim.