Diabetes Mellitus Type II
Diagnostic Code 7913 • 38 CFR § 4.119
Ratings follow your treatment requirements and complications. Many veterans also receive separate ratings for neuropathy, retinopathy, and kidney disease when criteria are met.
Diagnostic Code
7913
Diabetes Ratings & 2026 Pay (veteran alone)
Dollar amounts are the single-condition 2026 monthly rates for that percentage (before combined math). Always verify current rates on VA.gov.
More than one daily insulin injection + restricted diet + activity regulation + qualifying episodes/visits, plus weight-and-strength loss or compensable complications
$3,938.58/mo
Insulin + restricted diet + activity regulation + qualifying episodes/visits, plus noncompensable complications
$1,435.02/mo
One or more daily insulin injections + restricted diet + regulation of activities
$795.84/mo
Insulin + restricted diet, or an oral hypoglycemic agent + restricted diet
$356.66/mo
Manageable by restricted diet only
$180.42/mo
Agent Orange: Type 2 diabetes mellitus may be presumptively service connected for qualifying Vietnam / herbicide exposure veterans—verify current presumptive rules.
Criteria checked August 15, 2026 against 38 CFR § 4.119, DC 7913.
Complete regulatory criteria, CFR citations, and official rating notes
Three Compensation Scenarios
20% diabetes (oral medication + restricted diet)
Metformin or similar + dietary restriction per treating notes.
$356.66/mo
2026 base • no dependents
40% diabetes + secondaries
Approx. combined
60%
Monthly schedular
$1,435.02/mo
SMC-K adds on top when awarded; verify your decision.
60% diabetes + 50% OSA + 30% migraines
Typical combined
90%
Monthly total
$2,362.30/mo
Evidence Requirements
Treatment records & HbA1c
Diagnosis, longitudinal glucose control, medication changes, diet orders.
Medication evidence
Pharmacy printouts for insulin, orals, GLP-1, SGLT2, etc.
Hospitalization records
Hypoglycemia, DKA, HHNK—needed for higher ratings when frequent.
Complication testing
Eye exams, eGFR/urine albumin, nerve studies—supports separate complication ratings.
Activity regulation notes
For 40% and above, the schedule requires medical evidence of regulation of activities: avoiding strenuous occupational and recreational activities.
Secondary Conditions
👁️ Retinopathy
STRONGDC 6081 • Annual eye exams document severity
🫘 Nephropathy
STRONGDC 7541 • Labs show declining kidney function
🦶 Peripheral neuropathy
STRONGDC 8521+ • Numbness, pain, EMG findings
❤️ Heart / PAD
STRONGDC 7000+ • Accelerated vascular disease
🚻 ED
STRONGDC 7522 • Autonomic/vascular effects
🧠 Depression
MODERATEDC 9434 • Chronic disease burden
Claim Timeline
Records pull
Endocrine + pharmacy + hospitalizations
Complication screens
Eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet
File / increase
7913 + separate complication claims
C&P
Bring medication list; clarify insulin/orals
Secondaries & SMC
ED, neuropathy, retinopathy as supported
What Gets You Higher Ratings
10% → 20%
Document insulin plus a restricted diet, or an oral hypoglycemic agent plus a restricted diet.
20% → 40%+
The 40% tier requires insulin, a restricted diet, and medically directed regulation of activities. The 60% and 100% tiers add specific episode, visit-frequency, and complication requirements.
Separate ratings for complications
Neuropathy, vision, and kidney issues may be separately compensable—don’t assume they’re “included” unless your decision says so.
Common Mistakes
Understating treatment
C&P answers must match pharmacy records for insulin/orals.
No hospitalization records
DKA/hypoglycemia admissions help higher ratings.
Not claiming complications
Separate evaluations can exceed diabetes % alone.
Wrong presumptive assumption
Herbicide rules have eligibility requirements—confirm yours.
FAQs
▸ Are complications “pyramided” into diabetes?
Many complications receive separate evaluations when they meet distinct diagnostic criteria—see DC 7913 notes and individual organ schedules.
▸ Do GLP-1 drugs count like insulin?
Treatment classification follows what the schedule and rating criteria say about hypoglycemic management— bring pharmacy documentation and let the examiner record exact therapy.
▸ Can I get TDIU from diabetes alone?
If your SC disabilities (including complications) prevent substantially gainful employment, TDIU may be considered—usually with strong vocational evidence.
DC Reference & Tools
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.