Kidney Removal (Nephrectomy) — VA Disability Rating (DC 7500)
Diagnostic Code 7500 · 38 CFR §4.115b
What Is It?
DC 7500 covers the surgical removal of one kidney (nephrectomy). Veterans may require kidney removal due to trauma during service, kidney cancer, severe infections, or other conditions that destroy kidney function. After removal, the remaining kidney takes over all filtering work, but the veteran has no backup if that kidney develops problems. The rating schedule sets a minimum evaluation of 30 percent for removal of one kidney. If there is nephritis, infection, or pathology of the other kidney, the schedule directs rating as renal dysfunction instead, which is graded by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and reaches 60, 80, and 100 percent. 38 CFR 4.115 adds that when absence of a kidney is the sole renal disability, even if removal was required because of nephritis, the absent kidney and any hypertension or heart disease are rated separately.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Rated as renal dysfunction (38 CFR §4.115a), which applies when there is nephritis, infection, or pathology of the other kidney: chronic kidney disease with GFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months; or requiring regular routine dialysis; or eligible kidney transplant recipient. |
| 80% | Rated as renal dysfunction: chronic kidney disease with GFR from 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months. |
| 60% | Rated as renal dysfunction: chronic kidney disease with GFR from 30 to 44 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months. |
| 30% | Removal of one kidney: minimum evaluation. This is the floor for the code. When the other kidney shows no nephritis, infection, or pathology, or when renal dysfunction findings would rate 30 percent or less (a GFR from 45 to 59 is the 30 percent level), the evaluation is 30 percent. |
Evidence Needed
The operative report documenting the nephrectomy is the primary evidence. Pathology results explain why the kidney was removed. Current kidney function tests (BUN, creatinine, GFR, urinalysis) show how the remaining kidney is performing. Service treatment records connecting the kidney loss to a service event establish the nexus. If the kidney was removed due to trauma, the incident records are important.
C&P Exam Tips
Bring current kidney function lab results. Report any symptoms of decreased kidney function in the remaining kidney: fatigue, swelling, changes in urination. Describe any dietary or activity restrictions your doctor has recommended. If the kidney removal was recent, describe the surgical recovery and any complications.
How to File
File VA Form 21-526EZ listing kidney removal under DC 7500. Include the operative report, pathology results, and current kidney function tests. Provide evidence connecting the kidney loss to military service. If the remaining kidney is showing decreased function, emphasize this in the claim.
Common Mistakes
- Not monitoring the remaining kidney function regularly, missing evidence of decline that would support a higher rating.
- Failing to claim hypertension that develops from the increased workload on the remaining kidney.
- Not connecting the original kidney condition requiring removal to military service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum rating for kidney removal?
The schedule sets 30 percent as the minimum evaluation for removal of one kidney. Higher evaluations come from the renal dysfunction criteria when there is nephritis, infection, or pathology of the other kidney: 60 percent for a GFR from 30 to 44, 80 percent for a GFR from 15 to 29, and 100 percent for a GFR below 15, regular routine dialysis, or eligibility for a kidney transplant. Each GFR range has to be present for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months. A GFR from 45 to 59 is the 30 percent level, so it does not raise the evaluation above the minimum.
Can I get special monthly compensation for kidney loss?
Not under the creative-organ rule. The special monthly compensation rate in 38 U.S.C. 1114(k) is paid for the loss or loss of use of a creative organ, one hand, one foot, both buttocks, and a short list of other losses set out in 38 CFR 3.350(a), and a kidney is not on that list. DC 7500 also carries no special monthly compensation footnote in 38 CFR §4.115b. Other SMC levels turn on the overall picture rather than on the kidney loss as such: for example, 38 U.S.C. 1114(s) applies when a service-connected disability is rated as total and there is either additional service-connected disability independently ratable at 60 percent or more, or the veteran is permanently housebound by reason of service-connected disability. A veterans service representative can check whether any SMC level fits your record.