Hyperaldosteronism (DC 7917)

Body system: Endocrine SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.119

DC 7917 covers hyperaldosteronism, a condition in which the adrenal gland overproduces aldosterone, causing high blood pressure, low potassium, muscle weakness, and fatigue. The underlying cause is usually a benign adrenal adenoma (Conn's syndrome) or, rarely, a malignant adrenal tumor. DC 7917 itself has no rating ladder. Per the CFR Note, the rating is assigned as a malignant or benign endocrine neoplasm, as appropriate, under DC 7914 (malignant) or DC 7915 (benign). DC 7914 carries a 100% rating during active treatment with a mandatory six-month re-exam, then drops to residuals. DC 7915 is rated entirely on residual endocrine dysfunction (persistent hypertension, hypokalemia, or other endocrine dysfunction after the tumor or adrenal hyperplasia is treated).

Rating levels

  • -1% — Hyperaldosteronism (benign or malignant) is rated by routing it to whichever endocrine-neoplasm code matches the underlying tumor of the adrenal gland. If the tumor is malignant, rate under DC 7914 (malignant endocrine neoplasm), which assigns 100% during active antineoplastic treatment with a mandatory VA exam six months after treatment ends, then rates residuals. If the tumor is benign, rate under DC 7915 (benign endocrine neoplasm), which has no rating ladder of its own and is rated entirely on residuals (persistent hypertension, hypokalemia, or other endocrine dysfunction after the tumor or adrenal hyperplasia is treated).
  • -1% — The CFR Note directs the rater to treat hyperaldosteronism (benign or malignant) as a neoplasm under DC 7914 (malignant) or DC 7915 (benign) instead of carrying its own rating ladder. There is no separate percentage assigned to this code; the choice between DC 7914 and DC 7915 follows the pathology of the tumor, and the symptoms become evidence for the residuals rating once 7914 or 7915 is selected.

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