Diagnostic Code 7508: Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.115b
- Rating range
- 10% to 30%
- Rating levels
- 3
- Body system
- Genitourinary system
The VA rates Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones) under diagnostic code 7508 in 38 CFR § 4.115b. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7508 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Rate as hydronephrosis: only an occasional attack of colic, not infected and not requiring catheter drainage What raters look foroccasional attack of colic; not infected; no catheter drainage |
| 20% | Rate as hydronephrosis: frequent attacks of colic, requiring catheter drainage What raters look forfrequent attacks of colic; catheter drainage required |
| 30% | Recurrent stone formation requiring invasive or non-invasive procedures more than two times/year; or, rated as hydronephrosis, frequent attacks of colic with infection (pyonephrosis), kidney function impaired What raters look forrecurrent stone formation requiring procedures more than two times a year; frequent attacks of colic with infection (pyonephrosis); kidney function impaired |
DC 7508 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 185 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7508 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 22.2%, denied 65.4% and sent 12.4% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7508 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis). The Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 904 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis), 2021 to 2026. The Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) appeals generally rather than DC 7508 specifically. The DC 7508 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7508?
Diagnostic code 7508 is the VA rating schedule entry for Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones), found in 38 CFR § 4.115b. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7508?
DC 7508 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 30%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7508 require?
The 30% rating for Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones) requires: Recurrent stone formation requiring invasive or non-invasive procedures more than two times/year; or, rated as hydronephrosis, frequent attacks of colic with infection (pyonephrosis), kidney function impaired.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7508?
In 184 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7508 from 2021 to 2026, 22.3% were granted, 65.2% denied and 12.5% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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