What secondary conditions are linked to Obesity (Endocrine-Related)?

Common secondary conditions for Obesity (Endocrine-Related) include Sleep Apnea, Diabetes Type II, Hypertension, Osteoarthritis, GERD. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Obesity (Endocrine-Related)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Obesity (Endocrine-Related)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Obesity (Endocrine-Related)?

Obesity (Endocrine-Related) (DC 7999) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.119. Obesity is not a "disease or injury" for VA disability purposes (see VAOPGCPREC 1-2017 and Marcelino v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 155 (2018)) and carries no schedular rating in its own right. When obesity is a manifestation of a service-connected endocrine condition (e.g., hypothyroidism DC 7903, Cushing's syndrome DC 7907, hypothalamic dysfunction), the underlying endocrine condition is the rated disability and any sequelae are evaluated under their applicable codes. Obesity may also be relevant to "intermediate step" theories of secondary service connection (Walsh v. Wilkie, 32 Vet. App. 300 (2020)) for downstream conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, knee osteoarthritis, or back pain.

Q: What rates 0% for Obesity (Endocrine-Related) under 38 CFR § 4.119?

Under 38 CFR § 4.119 (DC 7999), a 0% rating for Obesity (Endocrine-Related) requires: Obesity is not a "disease or injury" for VA disability purposes (see VAOPGCPREC 1-2017 and Marcelino v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 155 (2018)) and carries no schedular rating in its own right. When obesity is a manifestation of a service-connected endocrine condition (e.g., hypothyroidism DC 7903, Cushing's syndrome DC 7907, hypothalamic dysfunction), the underlying endocrine condition is the rated disability and any sequelae are evaluated under their applicable codes. Obesity may also be relevant to "intermediate step" theories of secondary service connection (Walsh v. Wilkie, 32 Vet. App. 300 (2020)) for downstream conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, knee osteoarthritis, or back pain.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Obesity (Endocrine-Related) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Obesity (Endocrine-Related) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 799938 C.F.R. § 4.119

Diagnostic Code

DC 7999

38 C.F.R. § 4.119

Rating Range

0–0%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.119

Obesity (Endocrine-Related) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7999 of 38 CFR § 4.119 across 1 severity tier (0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Sleep Apnea or Diabetes Type II under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Excessive body weight with a BMI of 30 or higher. The VA does not currently rate obesity as a standalone disability, but it can be an intermediate step in a secondary service connection chain (e.g., knee condition causes obesity which worsens diabetes).

Rating Criteria

Obesity is not a "disease or injury" for VA disability purposes (see VAOPGCPREC 1-2017 and Marcelino v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 155 (2018)) and carries no schedular rating in its own right. When obesity is a manifestation of a service-connected endocrine condition (e.g., hypothyroidism DC 7903, Cushing's syndrome DC 7907, hypothalamic dysfunction), the underlying endocrine condition is the rated disability and any sequelae are evaluated under their applicable codes. Obesity may also be relevant to "intermediate step" theories of secondary service connection (Walsh v. Wilkie, 32 Vet. App. 300 (2020)) for downstream conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, knee osteoarthritis, or back pain.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

05Secondary Conditions

Sleep ApneaMODERATE

Excess weight causes airway obstruction

Diabetes Type IIMODERATE

Insulin resistance from excess body fat

HypertensionMODERATE

Increased cardiovascular demand

OsteoarthritisMODERATE

Excess weight accelerates joint wear

GERDMODERATE

Abdominal pressure increases reflux

Fatty Liver DiseaseMODERATE

Fat accumulation in liver

DepressionMODERATE

Social stigma and health burden

Plantar FasciitisMODERATE

Excess weight stresses foot arch

Lower Back PainMODERATE

Abdominal weight strains spine

Venous InsufficiencyMODERATE

Increased pressure on leg veins

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.119 (Endocrine system). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.119 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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