Graves’ disease is a thyroid condition that can seriously disrupt your health and daily life, and for many veterans, it may be linked to military service.
If you have service-connected Graves’ disease, you may qualify for a Graves’ disease VA rating. Some veterans may also be eligible for additional compensation for secondary conditions caused by the disorder.
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In this guide, we’ll break down what Graves’ disease is, how it may be connected to your service, and what you need to know about getting a Graves’ disease VA disability rating.
Key Takeaways
- Research suggests veterans could be at an increased risk for Graves’ disease if they were exposed to certain environmental hazards during service.
- In many cases, Graves’ disease VA ratings are evaluated using the criteria listed under diagnostic code 7900 for hyperthyroidism, including, but not limited to, Graves’ disease.
- Graves’ disease may lead to secondary conditions involving the heart, bones, blood, skin, eyes, and even reproductive system.
In this article about the Graves’ disease VA rating:
What is Graves’ disease?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes your body to produce too much thyroid hormone. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms include:
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Small tremors in your hands
- Heat sensitivity and increased sweating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Thick, discolored skin on shins or tops of feet
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Poor sleep
What causes Graves’ disease?
Although doctors aren’t sure why it happens, Graves’ disease develops when your immune system, which normally fights off outside invaders like infections, mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland.
Even though medical experts don’t fully understand why Graves’ disease develops, there are certain risk factors that seem to increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
People who may be at a greater risk of Graves’ disease include:
- Those between 30 and 60 years old
- People who already have other immune system conditions such as type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
- Smokers
- Individuals with vitamin deficiencies
Veterans and Graves’ disease
Research suggests veterans could be at an increased risk for Graves’ disease if they were exposed to certain environmental hazards during service.
Substances like Agent Orange, radiation, and cigarette smoke have been linked in at least one study to a higher likelihood of developing this condition.
Another study found participants who were exposed to Agent Orange were three times as likely to have Graves’ disease compared to those without such exposures.
The VA doesn’t formally recognize a connection between Agent Orange or radiation exposure and Graves’ disease. However, veterans that can provide evidence that their Graves’ disease diagnosis is a result of military service may be eligible for disability benefits.
Graves’ disease VA rating
In many cases, Graves’ disease VA ratings are evaluated using the criteria listed under diagnostic code 7900 for hyperthyroidism, including, but not limited to, Graves’ disease.
For six months after initial diagnosis, veterans with service-connected Graves’ disease are assigned a 30% disability rating, which pays $552.47 each month.
Following that six month period, the VA will rate the veteran’s residual conditions of Graves’ disease or complications from medical treatment using the appropriate diagnostic code for the appropriate body system.
Additional considerations
If a veteran has related heart issues, the diagnostic code calls for the veteran to be evaluated under diagnostic code 7008 for hyperthyroid heart disease.
If the veteran has related eye issues, the diagnostic code calls for the veteran to receive a separate rating under the code that best fits their symptoms.
Graves’ disease and related conditions
Graves’ disease can affect far more than just the thyroid. Because it increases metabolism and places stress on multiple body systems, it may lead to secondary conditions involving the heart, bones, blood, skin, eyes, and even reproductive system.
As previously mentioned, the VA has a system in place for rating heart and eye conditions related to your Graves’ disease. However, other related health issues can also qualify for additional VA disability compensation. We will explain some examples of this below.
Osteoporosis
Hyperthyroidism may cause osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones and makes them more susceptible to fracture. If you have too much thyroid hormone in your body, the rate at which bone mass is lost may be sped up to the point where it becomes difficult to replace it fast enough.
Veterans with service-connected Graves’ disease that leads to osteoporosis can get an osteoporosis VA rating. This condition is evaluated using diagnostic code 5003 for degenerative arthritis.
If your osteoporosis is linked to your service-connected Graves’ disease, you could be owed additional VA disability compensation.
Diabetes
Research suggests the risk of developing glucose-related health issues like diabetes is much higher in patients with Graves’ disease than in the general population. In those with Graves’ disease, the hyperactive metabolism often accelerates the absorption of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to low glucose intolerance.
Diabetes is evaluated by the VA under diagnostic code 7913 for diabetes mellitus. Potential VA ratings for diabetes include 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, or 100% disabling, depending on the severity of the condition.
If you believe your diabetes was caused by your service-connected Graves’ disease, you could be owed additional monthly compensation.
Graves’ dermopathy
Thyroid dermopathy, also called Graves’ dermopathy, is a skin condition that can affect people who have Graves’ disease. Symptoms of thyroid dermopathy typically manifests on the top of the feet, shins, and lower legs.
Thyroid dermopathy is typically evaluated using the General Rating Formula for the Skin. Under this formula, ratings are assigned between 0% and 60% disabling, depending on what percentage of the body is affected, and how much treatment is required to manage symptoms.
Veterans with service-connected Graves’ disease who also develop Graves’ dermopathy may be owed additional VA disability benefits.
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Erectile dysfunction
Research has found excess thyroid hormone can speed up the metabolism and may also lead to reduced libido and erectile dysfunction.
The VA does not have a diagnostic code especially for erectile dysfunction. Instead, veterans can get a VA rating for erectile dysfunction based on the specific symptoms you experience.
Veterans with ED may also be eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) for the loss of use of a creative organ.
How Woods & Woods can help
Woods & Woods has been fighting for people with injuries and disabilities since 1985. Our team of accredited VA disability lawyers, case managers, legal analysts, and intake specialists know the ins and outs of the VA so you don’t have to do all the hard work. Call us today for your free and confidential case evaluation.
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Frequently asked questions
Graves’ disease VA disability ratings are evaluated using the criteria listed under diagnostic code 7900 for hyperthyroidism, including, but not limited to, Graves’ disease.
For six months after diagnosis, veterans with service-connected Graves’ disease are assigned a 30% disability rating.
Following that six month period, the VA will rate the veteran’s residual conditions of Graves’ disease or complications from medical treatment using the appropriate diagnostic code for the appropriate body system.
Graves’ disease is known to cause or worsen conditions including heart disease, erectile dysfunction, thyroid eye disease, Graves’ dermopathy, and diabetes. When these conditions develop as a result of service-connected Graves’ disease, the VA can evaluate and rate each one on a secondary basis.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
