Ureter, stricture of (DC 7511)

Body system: Genitourinary SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.115b

Ureteral stricture is a narrowing of the ureter (the tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder) that obstructs normal urine flow. Causes include prior ureteral or pelvic surgery, kidney stones, radiation, infection, malignancy, and congenital narrowing. Obstruction leads to back-pressure on the kidney (hydronephrosis), recurrent infection, stone formation, and progressive loss of renal function. The VA assigns a 30% rating any time the stricture has caused recurrent stones requiring diet, drug, or more than 2 procedures per year. Otherwise, the rating follows the hydronephrosis ladder (DC 7509), which itself opens up to renal dysfunction tiers (60/80/100%) when kidney function has been impaired.

Rating levels

30% — You qualify for 30% if your ureter stricture has caused recurrent stone formation that requires ANY of these interventions: (1) prescribed dietary modification (low-oxalate, low-purine, low-sodium, increased fluids), (2) prescription drug therapy aimed at stone prevention or dissolution (thiazide diuretics, potassium citrate, allopurinol, tamsulosin), OR (3) more than 2 invasive or non-invasive procedures per year (ureteroscopy, ESWL, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, open surgery). Any one of the three pathways qualifies — they are not cumulative requirements.
100% — You qualify for 100% if your ureter stricture has produced severe hydronephrosis with end-stage renal disease — GFR under 15 mL/min/1.73 m² sustained for 3+ consecutive months in the past year, OR routine dialysis dependence, OR transplant eligibility.
80% — You qualify for 80% if your ureter stricture has produced severe hydronephrosis with Stage 4 chronic kidney disease — GFR 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m² sustained for 3+ consecutive months in the past year.
60% — You qualify for 60% if your ureter stricture has produced severe hydronephrosis with Stage 3b chronic kidney disease — GFR 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m² sustained for 3+ consecutive months in the past year.
30% — You qualify for 30% under the hydronephrosis cross-reference if you have frequent attacks of renal colic from the stricture AND infection of the obstructed collecting system (pyonephrosis) AND impaired kidney function. All three findings must be present together.
20% — You qualify for 20% if your ureter stricture causes frequent attacks of renal colic that require catheter drainage (ureteral stent placement or percutaneous nephrostomy).
10% — You qualify for 10% if your ureter stricture causes only occasional attacks of renal colic that are not associated with infection and do not require catheter drainage.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.