Bladder Injury — VA Disability Rating (DC 7517)
Diagnostic Code 7517 · 38 CFR §4.115b
What Is It?
DC 7517 covers injury to the urinary bladder that results in lasting functional impairment. Bladder injuries in veterans often stem from combat wounds, blast injuries, pelvic trauma, surgical complications, or catheterization injuries during military medical treatment. The VA rates bladder injury as voiding dysfunction, evaluating the residual effects on bladder function including changes in capacity, control, and voiding patterns.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Absorbent materials changed more than four times per day, or requiring the use of an appliance such as a catheter or collection device. |
| 40% | Absorbent materials changed two to four times per day, or daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or awakening to void five or more times per night. |
| 30% | Urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization. |
| 20% | Absorbent materials needed but changed fewer than two times per day, or daytime voiding interval between one and two hours, or awakening to void three to four times per night. |
| 10% | Marked obstructive symptomatology with post void residuals over 150 cc, markedly diminished peak flow rate, recurrent UTIs secondary to obstruction, or stricture disease requiring periodic dilation every two to three months. Alternatively, daytime voiding interval between two and three hours or awakening to void two times per night. |
| 0% | Obstructive voiding symptomatology with or without stricture disease requiring dilation one to two times per year. Alternatively, history of bladder injury that has healed with no significant residual voiding dysfunction. |
Evidence Needed
Medical records documenting the original bladder injury and its cause are essential. Urodynamic testing results showing current bladder capacity and function demonstrate the current disability level. A voiding diary documenting frequency patterns maps directly to rating criteria. Records of any surgical repairs or ongoing treatments and a statement describing daily impact including absorbent material use strengthen the claim.
C&P Exam Tips
Keep a voiding diary for at least two weeks before the exam to document frequency patterns. Be specific about how often you change absorbent materials if you use them. Describe nighttime voiding frequency honestly, as this directly affects the rating level. Bring records of the original injury, especially if combat-related. Mention any related issues like recurrent infections or incontinence episodes.
How to File
File under DC 7517 with documentation of the in-service bladder injury, current urodynamic testing, and a voiding diary showing your daily symptoms. If the injury occurred during combat, include relevant service records. A buddy statement describing how the condition affects your daily life can also strengthen your claim.
Common Mistakes
Not providing a voiding diary to document the frequency and severity of symptoms Underreporting nighttime voiding frequency during the compensation exam Failing to document the use of absorbent materials and how often they are changed Not claiming secondary conditions like mental health impacts from incontinence
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a bladder injury for VA purposes?
Any trauma to the bladder that occurred during or was caused by military service qualifies. This includes combat wounds, blast injuries affecting the pelvis, catheter injuries during military hospitalization, and surgical complications from in-service procedures.
How important is a voiding diary for my claim?
Very important. A voiding diary provides objective evidence of your urinary frequency patterns, which directly maps to specific rating levels. The VA examiner will ask about daytime and nighttime voiding intervals, so having documented records strengthens your reported symptoms.
Can I get rated for both bladder injury and incontinence?
The VA generally rates the overall urinary dysfunction under one diagnostic code rather than assigning separate ratings for each symptom. However, if you have distinct conditions affecting different aspects of urinary function, separate ratings may be possible. Discuss this with a veterans service organization.