VASRD 7518 · Genitourinary System
Urethra, stricture of VA Disability Rating
A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra that obstructs the flow of urine. DC 7518 carries no criteria of its own; the schedule directs "Rate as voiding dysfunction", and § 4.115a in turn directs that the particular condition be rated as urine leakage, frequency, or obstructed voiding. The ladder published for this code is the obstructed voiding table, which is built on retention requiring catheterization and on objective measures of obstruction such as post-void residual volume and peak flow rate.
VA Rating Tiers
How the VA Evaluates Urethra, stricture of
DC 7518 has no rows of its own — the entry reads "Rate as voiding dysfunction", and § 4.115a in turn directs that the particular condition be rated as urine leakage, frequency, or obstructed voiding. The ladder published for this code is the obstructed voiding table, which provides three levels. Zero percent is obstructive symptomatology with or without stricture disease requiring dilatation 1 to 2 times per year. Ten percent is 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 showing a 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. Thirty percent, the top of that table, is urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization. Dilatation frequency therefore decides the 0-versus-10 percent line only, and only as one of four alternatives; catheterization for retention is what reaches 30 percent.
Approval outlook
High
Veterans service-connected
~3,100 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~30%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Urology records stating the dilatation schedule — 1 to 2 times per year, or every 2 to 3 months — since that interval separates the 0 and 10 percent levels.
- •A post-void residual measurement in cc and a uroflowmetry report giving peak flow in cc/sec, both named in the 10 percent criteria.
- •Documentation of intermittent or continuous catheterization for urinary retention, which is the 30 percent criterion.
- •Urinalysis and treatment records for recurrent urinary tract infections attributed to the obstruction, which is another of the 10 percent alternatives.
Strategy Tips
- •Dilatation frequency is one route, not the only one. At 10 percent it is one of four alternatives, alongside a post-void residual greater than 150 cc, a uroflowmetry peak flow rate under 10 cc/sec, and recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to obstruction — any one of them will do.
- •Ask for a post-void residual measurement and uroflowmetry by name. Both are numbers the table uses, and neither appears in a record unless the test is ordered.
- •If urinary retention has required intermittent or continuous catheterization, get the catheterization documented as prescribed for retention. That is the fact the 30 percent level is built on.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •An examination recording obstructive symptoms — hesitancy, slow or weak stream, decreased force of stream — without any of the four objective findings the 10 percent level pairs them with.
- •No post-void residual and no uroflowmetry in the file, so two of the four routes to 10 percent cannot be evaluated at all.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Lack of documentation of the actual dilation procedures performed.
- •No specialist (urology) input to confirm the diagnosis and treatment pattern.
Onset Patterns
- •Urethral strictures commonly develop after a prior surgery or infection that caused scarring and narrowing of the urethra.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Urethra, stricture of. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Recurrent UTIs
Bladder infections
Kidney issues
Common questions about Urethra, stricture of
- Is Urethra, stricture of a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Urethra, stricture of under VASRD diagnostic code 7518 (Genitourinary System). A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra that obstructs the flow of urine. DC 7518 carries no criteria of its own; the schedule directs "Rate as voiding dysfunction", and § 4.115a in turn directs that the particu…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Urethra, stricture of?
- Possible VA ratings for Urethra, stricture of are 30%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 30%: Retention needing catheterization.; 10%: Marked obstruction plus one objective finding, including dilation every 2-3 months.; 0%: Dilation only once or twice a year..
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Urethra, stricture of?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Urethra, stricture of at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 3,100 veterans are service-connected for Urethra, stricture of. Estimated approval outlook: High.
- What evidence helps prove Urethra, stricture of for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Urethra, stricture of claim includes: Urology records stating the dilatation schedule — 1 to 2 times per year, or every 2 to 3 months — since that interval separates the 0 and 10 percent levels.; A post-void residual measurement in cc and a uroflowmetry report giving peak flow in cc/sec, both nam…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Urethra, stricture of?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Urethra, stricture of: Lack of documentation of the actual dilation procedures performed.; No specialist (urology) input to confirm the diagnosis and treatment pattern..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Urethra, stricture of?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Urethra, stricture of include: Recurrent UTIs, Bladder infections, Kidney issues. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.115b — Schedule of ratings — genitourinary system (Diagnostic Code 7518)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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