VA Disability Rating for Raynaud Syndrome (DC 7117)

Diagnostic Code 7117 · 38 CFR §4.104

What Is It?

Raynaud’s syndrome — also known as secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon, or secondary Raynaud’s — is a condition where blood vessels in the fingers and toes overreact to cold temperatures or emotional stress, temporarily restricting blood flow. During an episode, the affected areas turn white, then blue, and finally red as blood flow returns. This causes numbness, tingling, and pain. Veterans may develop it from cold weather exposure during service, vibration injuries from equipment use, chemical exposures, or as a secondary condition to autoimmune disorders. Severe cases can lead to finger ulcers and tissue damage. This is the SECONDARY form, and DC 7117 is the code that rates it. The schedule keeps the two forms apart: Note (2) to DC 7117 says the section is for evaluating Raynaud’s syndrome and directs that Raynaud’s disease — primary Raynaud’s, which arises on its own without an underlying cause — be evaluated under DC 7124. The distinction matters because the two codes are not close: DC 7117 runs 100, 60, 40, 20 and 10 percent, while DC 7124 prints only 10 and 0. Note (1) to DC 7117 defines a characteristic attack as sequential colour changes of the digits of one or more extremities lasting minutes to hours, sometimes with pain and paresthesias, and precipitated by exposure to cold or by emotional upsets; the evaluations are for the syndrome as a whole, regardless of how many extremities are involved or whether the nose and ears are involved.

Rating Criteria

Evidence Needed

• Medical records documenting the Raynaud diagnosis with description of characteristic episodes
• Photos of affected digits during episodes showing color changes (white, blue, red phases)
• Records of any digital ulcers or tissue loss
• Cold provocation test results if performed
• Documentation of attack frequency — a symptom diary is very helpful
• Service records showing cold weather exposure, vibrating equipment use, or chemical exposures
• Nexus letter if claiming as secondary to another condition

C&P Exam Tips

• Keep a detailed log of your attacks — date, time, triggers, duration, which fingers or toes were affected
• Take photos during active episodes showing the color changes in your fingers or toes
• Describe your triggers clearly — cold, stress, vibration, or spontaneous episodes
• If you have digital ulcers or tissue loss, make sure these are documented and photographed
• Report the frequency honestly — daily attacks versus weekly attacks makes a significant rating difference

How to File

File on VA Form 21-526EZ under DC 7117. Include medical records showing the diagnosis, your attack frequency log with photos, and evidence of your service exposure (cold weather, vibration, chemicals). If claiming as secondary to a cold injury or autoimmune disease, include a nexus letter — and note that Note (1) to DC 7122 expressly directs that Raynaud’s syndrome diagnosed as a residual effect of cold injury be evaluated separately from the cold injury residuals themselves, unless the same findings are being used to support the DC 7122 evaluation. Make sure the records name which form you have: this code is for secondary Raynaud’s, and primary Raynaud’s disease goes to DC 7124.

Common Mistakes

Not tracking attack frequency Keep a daily log of every Raynaud episode. Frequency is what separates the three lower evaluations: one to three attacks a week is 10 percent, four to six a week is 20 percent, and attacks at least daily is 40 percent. No photographic evidence Photos of your fingers during an active episode are powerful evidence. Take them whenever an attack happens. Not documenting digital ulcers If you develop finger or toe ulcers, get them documented immediately. Two or more digital ulcers with a history of characteristic attacks is the 60 percent row, and adding auto-amputation of one or more digits is the 100 percent row. Filing the wrong Raynaud code DC 7117 rates secondary Raynaud’s. Primary Raynaud’s disease, which arises without an underlying cause, is DC 7124 and prints only 10 and 0 percent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Raynaud syndrome be connected to cold weather exposure in service?

Yes. Veterans who were stationed in cold environments or had cold injuries during service can claim Raynaud as either directly service-connected or secondary to documented cold injuries.

What counts as a characteristic attack?

A characteristic attack involves sequential color changes — typically white (pallor) from blood vessel spasm, blue (cyanosis) from oxygen depletion, and red (rubor) as blood flow returns — accompanied by numbness, tingling, or pain.

Is Raynaud syndrome the same as a cold injury?

No, but they are related. Cold injury residuals (DC 7122) cover direct tissue damage from cold exposure, while Raynaud syndrome (DC 7117) is the ongoing vascular overreactivity. You may be rated for both if they are distinct conditions.