Women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population, yet VA historically underserved women's health needs. The PACT Act and updated VA presumptives specifically recognize cancers and conditions affecting women veterans. If no one has told you about these benefits, that's a VA communications failure — not a sign you don't qualify. Read this guide, then check your eligibility.
The uterus has two main tissue types: the inner lining (endometrium) and the outer muscular wall (myometrium). Endometrial cancer — also called uterine cancer or uterine corpus cancer — arises from the endometrium and accounts for about 90–95% of all uterine cancers. Uterine sarcomas, which arise from the muscle wall, make up most of the remaining cases and are also covered under VA's DC 7627.
Risk factors for endometrial cancer include hormonal imbalances, obesity, and genetic predisposition — but toxic chemical exposure, radiation, and carcinogens encountered during military service are also established risk factors, particularly through:
VA rates endometrial and uterine cancer under Diagnostic Code 7627 (malignant neoplasms of the gynecologic system). This DC covers all malignant cancers of the female reproductive organs including uterine cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and vulvar cancer — when not rated separately under more specific codes.
Under 38 CFR § 4.115a (Ratings of Neoplasms), the rating framework for DC 7627 follows VA's general cancer rating rules:
| Phase | Rating | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Active cancer / active treatment | 100% | From date of diagnosis through treatment period |
| Post-treatment minimum continuation | 100% | For at least 6 months after treatment ends (mandatory hold) |
| After 6-month continuation | Residual ratings | Based on remaining disabilities from cancer and its treatment |
| Recurrence | 100% | Reinstated immediately upon recurrence |
After a malignant neoplasm goes into remission or treatment ends, VA must continue the 100% rating for at least 6 months before conducting a rating reduction examination. This is a legal protection, not a courtesy. If VA attempts to reduce your rating sooner than 6 months post-treatment, you can appeal the proposed reduction.
During the period you are undergoing active cancer treatment — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy — you are entitled to a 100% disability rating under VA's cancer rating rules. This is true regardless of how early your cancer was caught or how well your treatment is going. "Active treatment" includes:
The 100% rating is also retroactive to the date you file your claim — which is why filing early during treatment is critical. If you file six months into treatment rather than at diagnosis, you may miss six months of 100% back pay.
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 significantly expanded VA's presumptive service connection for cancer conditions in veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. Uterine cancer — including endometrial cancer — is a covered PACT Act presumptive condition.
To claim PACT Act presumptive service connection for endometrial cancer, you need to establish:
Because endometrial cancer is on the PACT Act presumptive list, you do not need to prove that burn pit smoke or airborne hazards specifically caused your cancer — only that you served in a qualifying location during a qualifying period and have the diagnosis. VA must presume the connection under 38 CFR § 3.307.
PACT Act Claims: File Now
If you deployed after August 2, 1990 and have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, you likely qualify for service connection under the PACT Act. Benefits are retroactive to your filing date — every month you delay is benefits you cannot recover.
Check My PACT Act Eligibility — Free →For more on PACT Act genitourinary cancer claims, see our PACT Act Genitourinary Cancer Guide.
If your cancer doesn't qualify under the PACT Act presumptive (e.g., your service period or location doesn't qualify), you can still establish direct service connection by showing: (1) your cancer began during service or was caused by a specific in-service event; (2) a nexus medical opinion linking your cancer to a specific in-service carcinogen exposure. This pathway requires more evidence but is available.
Endometrial cancer can also be claimed as secondary to another service-connected condition. Common secondary pathways include:
If you had a pre-existing uterine condition that was materially aggravated by military service, you may be entitled to a rating for the degree of aggravation beyond the natural progression of the disease.
After the 100% rating phase ends (at minimum 6 months post-treatment), VA reassigns ratings based on the residual disabilities left by the cancer and its treatment. For endometrial cancer, typical residuals include:
The standard surgical treatment for endometrial cancer is total hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix) often combined with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes). These procedures leave permanent disabilities rated separately — see the next section.
Bilateral oophorectomy (ovary removal) causes surgical menopause — an abrupt hormonal disruption that can be more severe than natural menopause and lead to bone loss, cardiovascular effects, cognitive changes, and significant quality of life impairment. Hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes, and sexual dysfunction from surgical menopause can be rated under VA's general mental health or hormonal disorder codes.
A total hysterectomy is rated under DC 7619 (uterus, disease of, or surgical removal). The rating rules:
| DC | Condition | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 7619 | Removal of uterus with cervix (total hysterectomy) | 30% |
| 7619 | Removal of uterus without cervix (subtotal — rare in cancer surgery) | 30% |
| 7619 Note | Surgical complications: vaginal prolapse, pelvic floor weakness, etc. | Rate separately |
If ovaries were also removed (bilateral oophorectomy), that is rated separately under DC 7620 (ovaries, disease or injury). The surgical menopause consequences are rated under the applicable codes for the resulting conditions (osteoporosis, hormonal effects, psychological effects).
Veterans who have been treated for endometrial cancer often have multiple ratable conditions beyond the cancer itself. Claims to consider filing:
Medical Evidence for Cancer Residuals
Residual conditions after cancer treatment often require nexus letters to establish the secondary service connection — linking the peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema, or bowel dysfunction to your service-connected cancer treatment. REE Medical works with oncology-experienced clinicians who can document these connections.
Learn About REE Medical's Cancer Residuals Nexus Letters →claim.vet may receive a referral fee if you use this link. Veterans never pay more.
If a woman veteran died from endometrial cancer that was service-connected, or from treatment complications, her surviving spouse and dependents may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 CFR § 3.312. DIC pays a monthly benefit to surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents.
For survivors of veterans who died before a claim was filed, a retroactive claim may be filed from the date of death if the cancer was service-connected (or would have been) under the PACT Act. The PACT Act retroactivity provisions are complex — surviving family members should consult with a VA-accredited attorney.
Editorial Standards: Written by Marcus J. Webb, veterans benefits researcher. Verified against 38 CFR § 4.115a, DC 7627, and the PACT Act of 2022. Last reviewed: July 2026. Not legal or medical advice — consult a VA-accredited attorney for case-specific guidance.
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