Diabetes mellitus

Diagnostic code 7913

This formula governs the endocrine system criteria published in 38 CFR §4.119. The criteria below are quoted from the regulation and are current as of 2026-07-07.

This explains the published rating criteria. It is not a prediction about any veteran’s claim, and only VA decides a rating.

38 CFR §4.119Regulation text current as of 2026-07-07

Published criteria

7913 Diabetes mellitus:

100%Requiring more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated

60%Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated

40%Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities

20%Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin and restricted diet, or; oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet

10%Manageable by restricted diet only

Notes printed with this ladder in the regulation

Note (1): Evaluate compensable complications of diabetes separately unless they are part of the criteria used to support a 100-percent evaluation. Noncompensable complications are considered part of the diabetic process under DC 7913.

Note (2): When diabetes mellitus has been conclusively diagnosed, do not request a glucose tolerance test solely for rating purposes.

Related VA rating resources

Browse the VA rating criteria hub, use the combined-rating calculator to understand how ratings combine, or see the published figures in the VA disability pay chart.

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