What happens during a C&P exam for Pheochromocytoma?

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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Pheochromocytoma

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Pheochromocytoma?

Pheochromocytoma (DC 7918) is rated at 100%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911. When the underlying tumor is malignant (~10% of pheochromocytomas), DC 7914 verbatim — 100% during/after surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure; mandatory VA examination at six months; any rating change subject to § 3.105(e); if no recurrence or metastasis, rate-as residuals of endocrine dysfunction (paroxysmal/sustained hypertension under DC 7101, cardiac sequelae from catecholamine excess, headaches under DC 8100, anxiety/panic under § 4.130).

Q: What rates 100% for Pheochromocytoma under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911?

Under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911 (DC 7918), a 100% rating for Pheochromocytoma requires: When the underlying tumor is malignant (~10% of pheochromocytomas), DC 7914 verbatim — 100% during/after surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure; mandatory VA examination at six months; any rating change subject to § 3.105(e); if no recurrence or metastasis, rate-as residuals of endocrine dysfunction (paroxysmal/sustained hypertension under DC 7101, cardiac sequelae from catecholamine excess, headaches under DC 8100, anxiety/panic under § 4.130).

Q: What rates 0% for Pheochromocytoma under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911?

Under 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911 (DC 7918), a 0% rating for Pheochromocytoma requires: Evaluate as a malignant (DC 7914) or benign (DC 7915) endocrine neoplasm, as appropriate. Most pheochromocytomas (~90%) are benign and rated under DC 7915, with the disability rated on the basis of the resulting dysfunction (paroxysmal and sustained hypertension under § 4.104, DC 7101; cardiac sequelae from catecholamine excess; headaches under § 4.124a, DC 8100; anxiety/panic-like symptoms under § 4.130). Malignant pheochromocytoma follows DC 7914 (100% during/after active treatment; mandatory VA exam at 6 months; rating change subject to § 3.105(e)).

Q: What evidence do I need for a Pheochromocytoma VA claim?

Key evidence for a Pheochromocytoma 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 791838 C.F.R. § 4.119

Diagnostic Code

DC 7918

38 C.F.R. § 4.119

Rating Range

0–100%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.119

Pheochromocytoma is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7918 of 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7911 across 2 severity tiers (100% / 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.

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

Overview

Rare tumor of the adrenal gland that produces excess adrenaline and noradrenaline, causing severe episodes of high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, headaches, and sweating.

Rating Criteria

100%

When the underlying tumor is malignant (~10% of pheochromocytomas), DC 7914 verbatim — 100% during/after surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure; mandatory VA examination at six months; any rating change subject to § 3.105(e); if no recurrence or metastasis, rate-as residuals of endocrine dysfunction (paroxysmal/sustained hypertension under DC 7101, cardiac sequelae from catecholamine excess, headaches under DC 8100, anxiety/panic under § 4.130).

Evaluate as a malignant (DC 7914) or benign (DC 7915) endocrine neoplasm, as appropriate. Most pheochromocytomas (~90%) are benign and rated under DC 7915, with the disability rated on the basis of the resulting dysfunction (paroxysmal and sustained hypertension under § 4.104, DC 7101; cardiac sequelae from catecholamine excess; headaches under § 4.124a, DC 8100; anxiety/panic-like symptoms under § 4.130). Malignant pheochromocytoma follows DC 7914 (100% during/after active treatment; mandatory VA exam at 6 months; rating change subject to § 3.105(e)).

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.

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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