Body system: Endocrine SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.119
Acromegaly is a rare condition where your body produces too much growth hormone, usually from a tumor in your pituitary gland. This causes bones and tissues to grow abnormally, especially in your hands, feet, and face. The VA rates acromegaly from 30% to 100% based on how many body systems it affects - higher ratings require problems with multiple areas like your joints, blood sugar, blood pressure, heart, or vision.
Rating levels
- 100% — To qualify under this criteria, you must have evidence of brain pressure from the tumor (like losing parts of your vision), joint problems and pain from bone overgrowth (arthropathy), blood sugar problems that could lead to diabetes (glucose intolerance), and either high blood pressure (hypertension) or an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly). All of these conditions must be present together as complications from your acromegaly.
- 60% — You must have joint problems (arthropathy), trouble processing sugar properly (glucose intolerance), and high blood pressure (hypertension) all caused by your acromegaly. This combination of three specific health issues - damaged joints, blood sugar problems, and elevated blood pressure - must all be present together to meet this rating criteria.
- 30% — Your hands, feet, or facial features have gotten noticeably larger, or your arm and leg bones have grown longer than normal due to excess growth hormone. This includes things like your rings no longer fitting, shoes becoming too small, your jaw protruding more, or your limbs becoming disproportionately long compared to the rest of your body.