Diagnostic Code 7542: Neurogenic Bladder Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.115b
- Rating range
- 0% to 60%
- Rating levels
- 6
- Body system
- Genitourinary system
The VA rates Neurogenic Bladder under diagnostic code 7542 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 7542 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Obstructed voiding: obstructive symptomatology with or without stricture disease requiring dilatation 1 to 2 times per year; or urinary tract infection: recurrent symptomatic infection not requiring hospitalization, but requiring suppressive drug therapy for less than 6 months What raters look forobstructive symptomatology with dilatation 1 to 2 times per year; suppressive drug therapy for less than 6 months |
| 10% | Urinary frequency: daytime voiding interval between two and three hours, or awakening to void two times per night; or obstructed voiding: marked obstructive symptomatology (hesitancy, slow or weak stream, decreased force of stream) with any one or combination of post void residuals greater than 150 cc, uroflowmetry showing markedly diminished peak flow rate (less than 10 cc/sec), recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to obstruction, or stricture disease requiring periodic dilatation every 2 to 3 months; or urinary tract infection: recurrent symptomatic infection requiring 1-2 hospitalizations per year or suppressive drug therapy lasting six months or longer What raters look fordaytime voiding interval between two and three hours; awakening to void two times per night; post void residuals greater than 150 cc; peak flow rate less than 10 cc/sec; 1-2 hospitalizations per year or suppressive drug therapy lasting six months or longer |
| 20% | Continual urine leakage requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed less than 2 times per day; or urinary frequency: daytime voiding interval between one and two hours, or awakening to void three to four times per night What raters look forabsorbent materials changed less than 2 times per day; daytime voiding interval between one and two hours; awakening to void three to four times per night |
| 30% | Obstructed voiding: urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization; or urinary tract infection: recurrent symptomatic infection requiring drainage by stent or nephrostomy tube, or requiring greater than 2 hospitalizations per year, or requiring continuous intensive management What raters look forurinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization; drainage by stent or nephrostomy tube, more than 2 hospitalizations per year, or continuous intensive management |
| 40% | Continual urine leakage requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed 2 to 4 times per day; or urinary frequency: daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or awakening to void five or more times per night What raters look forabsorbent materials changed 2 to 4 times per day; daytime voiding interval less than one hour; awakening to void five or more times per night |
| 60% | Continual urine leakage requiring the use of an appliance or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than 4 times per day What raters look forappliance required; absorbent materials changed more than 4 times per day |
DC 7542 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 337 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7542 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 30.0%, denied 63.2% and sent 6.8% 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 7542 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 Bladder. The Bladder condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Bladder appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 4,942 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Bladder, 2021 to 2026. The Bladder 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 Bladder appeals generally rather than DC 7542 specifically. The DC 7542 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 7542?
Diagnostic code 7542 is the VA rating schedule entry for Neurogenic Bladder, 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 7542?
DC 7542 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 60%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7542 require?
The 60% rating for Neurogenic Bladder requires: Continual urine leakage requiring the use of an appliance or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than 4 times per day.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7542?
In 332 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7542 from 2021 to 2026, 28.9% were granted, 64.2% denied and 6.9% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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