Diagnostic Code 7913: Diabetes Mellitus Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.119
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Endocrine system
The VA rates Diabetes Mellitus under diagnostic code 7913 in 38 CFR § 4.119. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7913 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Manageable by restricted diet only What raters look forrestricted diet only |
| 20% | Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin and restricted diet, or oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet What raters look forinsulin and restricted diet; oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet |
| 40% | Requiring one or more daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities What raters look forinsulin; restricted diet; regulation of activities |
| 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 What raters look forone or two hospitalizations per year for ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions; twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider; complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated |
| 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 What raters look formore than one daily injection of insulin; at least three hospitalizations per year; weekly visits to a diabetic care provider; progressive loss of weight and strength; complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated |
DC 7913 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 2,198 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7913 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 11.5%, denied 80.8% and sent 7.7% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 20 percent | 166 | 18.1% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 7913 rulings
Percentages use all 169 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate48.5%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened27.2%
- No exam problem recorded15.4%
- VA had not given an exam or opinion6.5%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7913 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Diabetes. The Diabetes condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Diabetes appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 17,378 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Diabetes, 2021 to 2026. The Diabetes condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Diabetes appeals generally rather than DC 7913 specifically. The DC 7913 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7913?
Diagnostic code 7913 is the VA rating schedule entry for Diabetes Mellitus, found in 38 CFR § 4.119. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7913?
DC 7913 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7913 require?
The 100% rating for Diabetes Mellitus requires: 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.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7913?
In 2,173 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7913 from 2021 to 2026, 10.6% were granted, 81.6% denied and 7.8% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
Free help filing a claim
An accredited veterans service officer (VSO) can file your claim and represent you at no cost. Find a VSO office near you, with phone numbers and addresses in all 50 states and DC.