Diagnostic code
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 fordiet controlled; no medication |
| 20% | Requiring insulin and restricted diet, or oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet What raters look formedication required; restricted diet; insulin or oral medication |
| 40% | Requiring insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities What raters look forinsulin; diet restricted; activity regulation; cannot exercise freely |
| 60% | Requiring insulin, restricted diet, 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 forhospitalizations; frequent provider visits; complications |
| 100% | Requiring more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, regulation of 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 formultiple daily insulin; 3+ hospitalizations/year; weekly provider visits; weight loss; complications |
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 469 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals cases with Diabetes as the primary issue. The Diabetes condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: outcomes are coded per case from the Board's published decisions, rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, excluding dismissals. The dataset codes the condition on appeal, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Diabetes appeals generally rather than DC 7913 specifically. 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, regulation of 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.