Genitourinary System VA Rating Guide: How the VA Rates Urinary & Kidney Conditions

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The genitourinary system plays a crucial role in the body’s waste elimination and reproductive functions, encompassing organs like the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and reproductive structures such as the prostate in men and ovaries in women.  

If you’re a veteran, you may experience service-connected conditions affecting this system due to injuries, exposures, or stressors during military service. Understanding the genitourinary system VA rating process is essential for securing the disability benefits you deserve. 

In this post, we’ll explain how the VA rating for the genitourinary system works, what conditions are covered, and how the VA determines compensation levels. 

Summary of Key Points

• The VA classifies genitourinary conditions into urinary (bladder, urethra, ureters) and renal (kidney) dysfunctions for disability ratings.  

• Common VA ratings categories include urinary frequency, obstructed voiding, voiding dysfunction, urinary tract infection, and renal dysfunction.  

• VA disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, depending on severity and impact.  

• Examples of genitourinary conditions include nephritis, kidney transplant, chronic urinary tract infections, and prostate conditions.  

• Active malignant genitourinary cancers are typically rated at 100% during treatment and for at least 6 months after treatment. 

What is the Genitourinary System?

The genitourinary system includes the organs responsible for urine production, storage, and elimination, as well as reproductive structures. These organs include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and associated glands. 

Disabilities affecting these organs are evaluated by the VA using symptom-based criteria rather than current diagnosis alone. 

VA Ratings for Genitourinary Conditions

The VA categorizes genitourinary disabilities as “renal” for kidney impairments or “urinary” for issues involving the ureters, bladder, or urethra.  

Most genitourinary disabilities are evaluated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.115a – dyfunctions or 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b – diagnoses based on how the condition affects urinary or kidney function, not just the current diagnosis itself. 

Diseases of the genitourinary system often result in overlapping symptoms, so the VA ratings are based on the predominant dysfunction. 

Key evaluation areas include: 

• Urinary Frequency: Excessive urination 

• Obstructed Voiding: Difficulty starting or maintaining urination 

• Voiding Dysfunction: Leakage or incontinence requiring absorbent materials 

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Recurrent infections needing hospitalization or treatment 

• Renal Dysfunction: Impaired kidney function measured by lab values like creatinine or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 

Urinary Frequency Ratings

If your genitourinary system VA rating involves frequent urination, the VA assesses based on daytime and nighttime voiding: 

• 40%: Daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or awakening to void five or more times per night 

• 20%: Daytime voiding interval between one and two hours, or awakening to void three to four times per night 

• 10%: Daytime voiding interval between two and three hours, or awakening to void two times per night 

This is common in conditions like overactive bladder, which can stem from service-related stress or injuries. 

>> Related: Nocturia VA Rating: How Veterans Can Get Up to 40% for Nighttime Urination 

Obstructed Voiding Ratings

For issues like weak stream or hesitancy (often seen in prostate conditions), ratings include: 

• 30%: Urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization 

• 10%: Marked obstructive symptomatology (hesitancy, slow or weak stream, decreased force of stream) with any one or combination of the following: Post void residuals greater than 150 cc; Uroflowmetry; markedly diminished peak flow rate (less than 10 cc/sec); Recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to obstruction; Stricture disease requiring periodic dilatation every two to three months 

• 0%: Obstructive symptomatology with or without stricture disease requiring dilatation one to two times per year 

Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a frequent cause. 

Voiding Dysfunction Ratings

This covers leakage or incontinence not fitting other categories: 

• 60%: Requiring the use of an appliance or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than four times per day 

• 40%: Requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed two to four times per day 

• 20%: Requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed less than two times per day 

These ratings apply to stress incontinence or post-surgical issues. 

>> Related: Urinary Incontinence VA Rating Guide: How to Qualify and Get the Benefits You Deserve 

Urinary Tract Infection Ratings

Persistent UTIs are rated as: 

• 30%: Recurrent symptomatic infection requiring drainage by stent or nephrostomy tube; or requiring greater than two hospitalizations per year; or requiring continuous intensive management 

• 10%: Recurrent symptomatic infection requiring one to two hospitalizations per year or suppressive drug therapy lasting six months or longer 

• 0%: Recurrent symptomatic infection not requiring hospitalization but requiring suppressive drug therapy for less than six months 

Note: If poor renal function is present, UTIs may be rated as renal dysfunction. 

>> Learn more about how the VA rates UTIs in our UTI VA rating guide.

Renal Dysfunction Ratings

For kidney-related genitourinary system issues, VA ratings depend on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how well kidneys filter blood, and other factors: 

• 100%: Chronic kidney disease with GFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m² for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months; or requiring regular routine dialysis; or eligible kidney transplant recipient 

• 80%: Chronic kidney disease with GFR from 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m² for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months 

• 60%: Chronic kidney disease with GFR from 30 to 44 mL/min/1.73 m² for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months 

• 30%: Chronic kidney disease with GFR from 45 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m² for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months 

• 0%: GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m² and either recurrent red blood cell (RBC) casts, white blood cell (WBC) casts, or granular casts for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months; or GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m² and structural kidney abnormalities (cystic, obstructive, or glomerular) for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months; or GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m² and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months 

Note: GFR, estimated GFR (eGFR), and creatinine-based approximations of GFR will be accepted for evaluation purposes when determined to be appropriate and calculated by a medical professional. 

>> Related: VA Rating for Kidney Disease (The Ultimate Guide) 

Common Genitourinary Conditions

Several conditions fall under the genitourinary system VA rating umbrella, including: 

• Chronic Nephritis (kidney inflammation): Rated under renal dysfunction; often tied to infections or heart issues 

• Nephrectomy (kidney removal): Minimum 30% rating, higher if remaining kidney is impaired 

• Chronic Pyelonephritis (kidney infection from UTI): Rated as renal dysfunction or urinary tract infection, whichever is higher 

• Arteriolar Nephrosclerosis (kidney damage from high blood pressure): Rated based on the worst symptoms, such as renal dysfunction, hypertension, or heart disease 

• Kidney Disease Requiring Dialysis: 100% during treatment 

• Kidney Transplant: 100% for one year post-surgery, minimum 30% thereafter 

• Toxic Nephropathy (toxin-induced kidney damage): Rated under renal dysfunction 

• Glomerulonephritis: Rated as renal dysfunction 

• Papillary Necrosis (kidney tissue death): Rated under renal dysfunction 

• Urinary Tract Infections: 0% to 30%, rated as urinary or renal dysfunction, depending on symptom severity and recurrence 

• Prostate Conditions: Rated under voiding dysfunction 

• Epididymo-Orchitis (testicle inflammation): Rated as UTI 

Proving Service Connection

To receive a VA rating for the genitourinary system, you must prove that your condition is service-connected. 

Primary Service Connection

Primary, or direct, service connection applies if your genitourinary system condition occurred during or is directly linked to your military service.   

Proving primary service connection requires:  

1. A current diagnosis of a genitourinary system condition, and  

2. An in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation, and  

3. A medical nexus (such as a nexus letter or statement) linking #1 and #2.  

Secondary Service Connection

Secondary service connection applies if your genitourinary system condition was caused or aggravated by another service-connected condition. 

Proving secondary service connection requires a current diagnosis of a genitourinary system condition, medical evidence, and a nexus linking your secondary condition to an already service-connected condition. 

Pro Tip: It’s highly recommended to get a credible nexus letter for secondary service connection. 

How to File a Genitourinary System VA Claim

A convenient way to file a VA claim is online, but you can also download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it by mail, fax, or in person at a VA regional office. 

>> Related: The BEST Way to File a VA Disability Claim!

Tips for Filing a VA Claim

To strengthen a genitourinary system VA rating claim: 

• Submit detailed medical records documenting symptoms and treatments 

• Attend all compensation and pension (C&P) exams and clearly explain daily functional limitations 

• Include lab results, imaging, and treatment history (dialysis, catheter use, medications) 

• Reference applicable VA regulations in your claim 

Conclusion

VA ratings for the genitourinary system play a major role in determining disability compensation for veterans with urinary or kidney conditions, with ratings ranging widely from 0% to 100%.  

By understanding how the VA evaluates urinary frequency, obstructed voiding, voiding dysfunction, and renal impairment, veterans can better prepare claims supported by strong medical evidence. 

Gather comprehensive medical documentation, and ensure your symptoms are fully captured during VA examinations to pursue the correct genitourinary system VA rating. 

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