C&P Exam Guide

Diabetes / Endocrine C&P Exam

Endocrine exams cover diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, and other hormonal conditions. For diabetes, the key rating factors are: whether you need insulin, oral meds, or diet management; whether your activities are regulated (restricted); and whether you have episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring hospitalization. Complications (neuropathy, retinopathy) are rated separately.

DBQ: DBQ - Diabetes Mellitus / Endocrine
Exam type: In-person with records review
Typical duration: 20-40 minutes

What the Examiner Looks For

Treatment regimen (insulin vs. oral meds vs. diet only), regulation of activities (doctor-ordered activity restrictions), frequency of hypoglycemic or ketoacidotic episodes, A1C levels, complications in other body systems (eyes, kidneys, nerves), weight changes, and whether you see your doctor more than twice per month for regulation.

Related Diagnostic Codes

DC 7900
Hyperthyroidism, including, but not limited to, Graves' disease
DC 7903
Hypothyroidism
DC 7909
Diabetes insipidus
DC 7913
Diabetes mellitus

General Tips for Every C&P Exam

📝Be honest — do not exaggerate or minimize.
📝Describe your WORST days, not your best.
📝Focus on how the condition impacts your daily life and ability to work.
📝Keep a symptom journal or diary before your exam.
📝Review the DBQ for your condition beforehand.
📝Arrive early and bring all relevant records.
📝You can bring a support person (spouse, friend).
📝The exam is for evaluation, not treatment — do not expect prescriptions.
📝The examiner is not your doctor — they report findings to the VA.
📝If you disagree with the exam results, you can request a new exam.

✅ DO

⚠️ Critical tip
Know your most recent A1C and blood sugar log patterns.
⚠️ Critical tip
Describe any activity restrictions your doctor has ordered due to blood sugar.
Report ALL complications: neuropathy, vision changes, kidney issues, ED.
Track hypoglycemic episodes — dates, severity, whether you needed help.

❌ DON'T

⚠️ Critical tip
Do not skip insulin or meds before the exam to look worse — dangerous and counterproductive.
⚠️ Critical tip
Do not forget to mention complications — each one can be a separate rating.

📋 BRING

⚠️ Critical tip
Blood sugar log or CGM printouts for the past 3-6 months.
Most recent A1C lab results.
List of all diabetes medications with dosages and frequency.
⚠️ Critical tip
Any letters from your doctor restricting activities.

🔍 EXPECT

Detailed questions about your daily medication regimen.
Questions about how diabetes affects daily life and work.
The examiner will check for signs of diabetic complications.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal or medical advice. Every veteran's situation is unique. Consider consulting with a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or VA-accredited attorney for personalized guidance.