C&P Exam Prep Guide for Cushing's syndrome (DC 7907)
YOUR EXAM BLUEPRINT
Cushing's syndrome
This exam covers hormone (endocrine) conditions other than thyroid and diabetes. The examiner reviews your symptoms, treatment, and lab results, then rates under 38 CFR 4.119.
DBQ used for this condition
- PPublic formDBQ ENDO Endocrine Diseases (other than thyroid, parathyroid, or diabetes mellitus)Open the public DBQ
What the examination is likely to focus on
Functional-impact topics to describe
- Your symptoms, episodes, and whether treatment controls them, which set the rating.
- Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.119 (e.g. Cushing's syndrome DC 7907).
Which form the examiner uses
For cushing's syndrome (DC 7907), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):
- DBQ ENDO Endocrine Diseases (other than thyroid, parathyroid, or diabetes mellitus) (public PDF on VA.gov)
DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.
What to expect at your C&P exam
This exam covers hormone (endocrine) conditions other than thyroid and diabetes. The examiner reviews your symptoms, treatment, and lab results, then rates under 38 CFR 4.119.
1Initial interview (history)
- Symptoms such as weight change, weakness, mood changes, or episodes of crisis.
- When you were diagnosed and what treatment you take.
- Whether the condition is controlled and how often it flares.
2Physical examination
- General exam, blood pressure, and weight.
- Checking for signs specific to the condition.
3Diagnostic tests the examiner may rely on
Hormone levels confirm the diagnosis and track control.
4Functional assessment
- Your symptoms, episodes, and whether treatment controls them, which set the rating.
- Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.119 (e.g. Cushing's syndrome DC 7907).
Test explainers open MedlinePlus (NIH National Library of Medicine), or Wikipedia where MedlinePlus has no matching page. This describes what happens and what is measured, not how to influence a result.
What the examiner records (full DBQ form)
The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.
This DBQ evaluates endocrine conditions other than thyroid, parathyroid, or diabetes mellitus, including Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, diabetes insipidus, Addison's disease, polyglandular syndrome, hypopituitarism, hyperpituitarism, hyperaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, hypogonadism, and endocrine neoplasms, documenting diagnosis, history, medication and surgical treatment, condition-specific findings, and functional impact.
How DC 7907 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections IV-X cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
- 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire.
- 1B. Diagnosis (check all that apply, with ICD code and date of diagnosis): Cushing's syndrome; Acromegaly; Diabetes insipidus; Addison's disease; Polyglandular syndrome; Hypopituitarism; Hyperpituitarism; Hyperaldosteronism; Pheochromocytoma; Hypogonadism; Benign neoplasm; Malignant neoplasm; Other diagnoses
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
- 2A. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's endocrine condition(s).
- 2B. Does the Veteran's endocrine condition require continuous medication for control? If yes, list the condition and medication.
- 2C. Has the Veteran had surgery for an endocrine condition? If yes, list the condition, type of surgery, and date.
- 2D. Has the Veteran had any other treatment for an endocrine condition? If yes, list the condition, treatment type, and date.
CUSHING'S SYNDROME (Section III)
- 3A. Date of initial diagnosis.
- Symptoms present (check all that apply): active/progressive disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, proximal muscle wasting, striae, obesity, moon face, glucose intolerance, vascular fragility, other
ACROMEGALY (Section IV)
- Acral parts enlargement, long bone overgrowth, glucose intolerance, arthropathy, hypertension (with blood pressure readings), increased intracranial pressure evidence, cardiomegaly, other findings
DIABETES INSIPIDUS (Section V)
- Persistent polyuria, continuous hormonal therapy requirement, other findings
ADDISON'S DISEASE (Section VI)
- Corticosteroid therapy requirement, weakness and fatigability, Addisonian crisis, frequency of Addisonian episodes, other findings
POLYGLANDULAR SYNDROME (Section VII)
- Benign/malignant classification, active/in remission status, current findings, signs, symptoms
NEOPLASMS (Section VIII)
- Benign/malignant designation, primary/secondary (metastatic) status, primary site if secondary, treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, other) with dates and completion status, current residuals or complications
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS (Section IX)
- Any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs, or symptoms
REMARKS (Section X)
- Additional remarks, if any.
Rating Levels for DC 7907
The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.
Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.
Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 7907
The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.
- Service treatment records: appeared in 0 granted decisions (8 denied; 8 decided total)
- Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 0 granted decisions (6 denied; 6 decided total)
When the Board found the exam inadequate (DC 7907)
In 106 published Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions involving this condition, the Board found a C&P examination or medical opinion inadequate. Where the defect could be read from the decision, it was most often one of the following (counts are a floor from the decisions on file, not a total):
- 33 Failed to address a contention or part of the condition
- 24 Veteran's lay statements not considered
- 19 Conclusion given without a supporting rationale
- 9 Flare-ups or functional loss not addressed
An inadequate exam is usually sent back for a new one rather than decided against the veteran. This is a factual report of published decisions, not advice about any exam or claim; whether an exam is adequate is decided case by case.
Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.