Body system: Endocrine SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.119
Cushing's syndrome happens when your body makes too much cortisol hormone or you've been on steroid medications long-term. The VA rates this condition based on how severely it affects your muscles and daily functioning. A 30% rating covers the visible signs like weight gain and stretch marks, 60% is for significant muscle weakness that makes basic movements difficult, and 100% is for severe, active disease that leaves you unable to perform most physical activities.
Rating levels
- 100% — You qualify for this rating if your Cushing's syndrome is actively getting worse and causes severe muscle weakness in your arms and legs, along with weak bones (osteoporosis) and high blood pressure (hypertension). The muscle weakness must be so severe that you cannot squat down and stand back up, climb stairs, get out of a deep chair without help, or lift your arms up without assistance.
- 60% — You qualify for this rating level if the muscle wasting (muscle shrinkage and weakness) in your arms, legs, shoulders, or hips from Cushing's syndrome makes it impossible for you to do basic physical activities without help. Specifically, you cannot squat down and stand back up on your own, climb stairs, get out of a deep or low chair without assistance, or lift your arms up normally.
- 30% — You must have several specific physical symptoms from Cushing's syndrome to qualify for this rating. These include striae (stretch marks on your skin), significant weight gain especially around your midsection, moon face (your face becomes round and puffy), glucose intolerance (your body has trouble processing sugar, which can lead to diabetes), and vascular fragility (your blood vessels bruise easily and you may have fragile, thin skin).