Kidney Disease VA Rating: 30% to 100% (DC 7502)

What is kidney disease and how does it affect veterans?

Kidney disease, also called renal disease or chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. The kidneys perform critical functions including filtering blood, regulating blood pressure, producing red blood cells, and maintaining bone health. When they fail, toxins build up in the body and multiple organ systems are affected.

Veterans develop kidney disease through several service-related pathways. The most common is diabetic nephropathy — kidney damage caused by service-connected type 2 diabetes. Hypertension, another frequently service-connected condition, also damages the kidneys over time. Exposure to environmental toxins, heavy metals, contaminated water (such as the contamination at Camp Lejeune), and certain medications used during service can also cause kidney damage. Physical trauma to the kidneys from combat injuries or accidents is another pathway.

The progression of kidney disease is often silent in the early stages. By the time symptoms appear — fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles, changes in urination, nausea, and difficulty concentrating — significant kidney damage has usually already occurred. Advanced kidney disease requires dialysis or transplantation to sustain life. The condition also accelerates cardiovascular disease, causes anemia, weakens bones, and impairs virtually every body system.

VA diagnostic code for kidney disease

Kidney disease is commonly rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7502, Nephritis, chronic, which is listed in 38 CFR § 4.115b, Ratings of the Genitourinary System — Diagnoses. DC 7502 says only: “Rate as renal dysfunction.” The renal dysfunction criteria are in 38 CFR § 4.115a, Ratings of the Genitourinary System — Dysfunctions.

Many other kidney codes in § 4.115b also point to the renal dysfunction criteria, including DC 7530 (chronic renal disease requiring regular dialysis), DC 7533 (cystic diseases of the kidneys), DC 7536 (glomerulonephritis), and DC 7541 (renal involvement in diabetes mellitus type I or II). The code on your decision depends on the cause of your kidney disease, but the rating criteria are the same.

The VA updated the genitourinary rating criteria in 2021. The renal dysfunction criteria now rate chronic kidney disease mainly on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how well your kidneys filter blood. A note in § 4.115a says GFR, estimated GFR (eGFR), and creatinine-based approximations of GFR are accepted when determined to be appropriate and calculated by a medical professional. The GFR-based pathways and the accompanying findings at 0% have an express 3-consecutive-month requirement during the past 12 months. That duration does not apply to the separate 100% alternatives of requiring regular routine dialysis or being an eligible kidney transplant recipient.

Rating criteria for kidney disease

The VA assigns kidney disease ratings at five possible levels under the renal dysfunction criteria:

0% rating

Criteria: GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m² and any one of the following for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months:

• Recurrent red blood cell (RBC) casts, white blood cell (WBC) casts, or granular casts; or
• Structural kidney abnormalities (cystic, obstructive, or glomerular); or
• Albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g

Monthly payment: $0 (but establishes service connection for future increases and secondary claims)

What this looks like: Your kidney function is only mildly reduced, but lab work or imaging shows kidney damage, such as protein in the urine or a structural abnormality.

30% rating — $552.47/month

Criteria: Chronic kidney disease with GFR from 45 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m² for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months.

What this looks like: Your kidney function is moderately reduced. This range is often called stage 3a CKD.

60% rating — $1,435.02/month

Criteria: 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.

What this looks like: Your kidney function is moderately to severely reduced (often called stage 3b CKD). You are likely seeing a nephrologist regularly.

80% rating — $2,102.15/month

Criteria: 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.

What this looks like: Your kidney function is severely reduced (often called stage 4 CKD), and your care team may be discussing dialysis or transplant planning.

100% rating — $3,938.58/month

Criteria: 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.

What this looks like: Your kidneys have failed or are close to failing (often called stage 5 CKD or end-stage renal disease). You need regular dialysis, your GFR has stayed below 15, or you have been found eligible for a kidney transplant.

What evidence do you need?

Service records

• Service treatment records showing kidney-related symptoms, abnormal urinalysis, or blood work
• Records of exposure to environmental toxins, contaminated water, or nephrotoxic chemicals
• Documentation of kidney injuries from combat or training
• Records of medications used during service that may have affected kidney function
• Service connection documentation for diabetes or hypertension (if claiming secondary)

Medical evidence

• GFR or eGFR results over time, with dates, so the VA can see at least 3 consecutive months within the past 12 months at each level
• Urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and urinalysis results documenting albumin and any RBC, WBC, or granular casts (relevant at the 0% level)
• Records of kidney transplant evaluation or transplant eligibility, if applicable
• Kidney biopsy results if performed
• Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT) showing kidney size and structure
• Nephrology treatment records documenting diagnosis, staging, and treatment plan
• If on dialysis: dialysis records including frequency and duration of treatments
• Blood pressure records and hypertension treatment documentation (hypertension is no longer part of the renal dysfunction criteria; separate ratings depend on the nephritis restrictions and exceptions described below)

Nexus letter

A nephrologist’s medical opinion connecting your kidney disease to military service. If claiming secondary to diabetes or hypertension, the letter should explain how the primary condition caused kidney damage. For environmental exposure claims, the letter should address the specific toxin and its nephrotoxic effects.

Buddy statements

Statements from family and friends describing the impact of your kidney disease — fatigue, swelling, dietary restrictions, dialysis schedule, and overall decline in health and activity levels. These personal observations help the VA understand the functional impact beyond lab values.

C&P exam tips for kidney disease

Before your exam, review our guide on what not to say at a C&P exam for general preparation tips that apply to all exams.

What the examiner evaluates

• Confirmation of kidney disease diagnosis and current stage
• GFR or eGFR values and how long each has lasted during the past 12 months
• Urine albumin/creatinine ratio, urinary casts, and any structural kidney abnormalities
• Need for regular routine dialysis
• Kidney transplant eligibility or transplant history
• Blood pressure measurements (for a separate hypertension rating when permitted under the nephritis restrictions and exceptions described below)
• Impact on overall health and functional capacity
• Connection to service or service-connected conditions

How to prepare

1. Bring dated lab work. Have copies of your GFR or eGFR results from the past 12 months. For a GFR-based evaluation, serial results help establish the required 3 consecutive months. The separate regular routine dialysis and eligible transplant-recipient alternatives at 100% do not have that express duration requirement.
2. Document your GFR trend. GFR is the main measure the rating criteria use. Bring records showing how it has changed over time, plus any urine albumin/creatinine ratio results.
3. Record your blood pressure. If you monitor blood pressure at home, bring your logs. High blood pressure both causes and results from kidney disease.
4. Bring transplant records. If a transplant center has found you eligible for a kidney transplant, bring that documentation. Eligibility is one of the 100% criteria.
5. Describe your functional limitations. Explain how kidney disease affects your energy, appetite, ability to work, and daily activities. Be specific about what you can no longer do.
6. Bring dialysis records. If you are on dialysis, bring records showing the frequency and duration of treatments and how dialysis affects your weekly schedule.

Common secondary conditions linked to kidney disease

Kidney disease affects multiple body systems and commonly causes or worsens other conditions:

• Hypertension — Kidney disease and high blood pressure have a bidirectional relationship. Damaged kidneys cannot regulate blood pressure effectively, leading to worsening hypertension that further damages the kidneys. With nephritis (DC 7502), hypertension or heart disease is generally not rated separately (38 CFR § 4.115), except when regular dialysis is required or an absent kidney is the sole renal disability. Other kidney disease, such as nephropathy that is not nephritis, may allow a separate hypertension rating under DC 7101. Clinical evidence, not the code alone, determines whether the disease is nephritis.
• Depression — Chronic kidney disease, particularly when requiring dialysis, is strongly associated with depression. The fatigue, dietary restrictions, lifestyle limitations, and awareness of progressive disease take a significant psychological toll.
• Anemia — The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. As kidney function declines, anemia develops, causing additional fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
• Cardiovascular disease — Kidney disease accelerates heart disease through multiple mechanisms including fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and chronic inflammation.
• Bone disease — The kidneys help maintain calcium and phosphorus balance. Kidney disease disrupts bone metabolism, leading to weakened bones and increased fracture risk.

How to calculate your monthly payment

Your total VA disability payment depends on your combined rating across all service-connected conditions. Veterans with kidney disease secondary to diabetes often have multiple conditions that combine to a higher overall rating.

Use our VA disability calculator to:

• Calculate your combined rating with multiple conditions
• Understand how VA math combines ratings (30% + 30% does not equal 60%)
• Estimate your monthly payment including dependents

For the full breakdown of payment amounts at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page.

Correction — October 21, 2026: Limited the three-month duration requirement to the GFR-based ratings, not dialysis or transplant eligibility. Corrected the hypertension guidance: with nephritis, hypertension is generally not rated separately, with limited exceptions. Updated the chart and its description.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.