Body system: Genitourinary SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.115bDBQ: DBQ GU Male Reproductive Organ
DC 7527 covers a broad group of prostate conditions: traumatic prostate injuries, prostate infections, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), post-prostatectomy or post-TURP residuals, and bladder outlet obstruction from any prostate cause. Symptoms range from obstructive (hesitancy, weak stream, retention) to irritative (frequency, urgency, nocturia) to incontinent (post-prostatectomy leakage), with potential for recurrent infections. The VA rates this condition under whichever ladder produces the higher evaluation for the predominant symptom: voiding dysfunction (3 sub-formulas at 0-60%) or urinary tract infection (0/10/30%). The 30% and 0% tiers can be reached through either ladder; the upper voiding-dysfunction tiers (40-60%) handle severe leakage and frequency cases.
Rating levels
- 60% — You qualify for 60% under the urine leakage sub-formula if your prostate condition causes leakage requiring a urinary collection appliance OR absorbent materials changed more than 4 times per day.
- 40% — You qualify for 40% under the urine leakage sub-formula if you wear absorbent materials and change them 2 to 4 times per day.
- 40% — You qualify for 40% under the frequency sub-formula if your prostate condition causes you to urinate more than once per hour during the day, OR wake 5+ times per night.
- 30% — You qualify for 30% under the obstructed voiding sub-formula if your prostate condition causes urinary retention requiring intermittent self-catheterization OR continuous indwelling catheter. This sub-formula typically dominates for BPH and bladder outlet obstruction cases.
- 30% — You qualify for 30% under the UTI sub-formula if recurrent prostate infection requires a urinary drainage device, more than 2 hospitalizations per year, or continuous intensive management.
- 20% — You qualify for 20% under the urine leakage sub-formula if absorbent material changes are fewer than 2 per day.
- 20% — You qualify for 20% under the frequency sub-formula with daytime intervals of 1-2 hours OR 3-4 nocturnal voids.
- 10% — You qualify for 10% under the frequency sub-formula with daytime intervals of 2-3 hours OR exactly 2 nocturnal voids.
- 10% — You qualify for 10% under the obstructed voiding sub-formula if marked obstructive symptoms are accompanied by any objective finding (PVR > 150 cc, peak flow < 10 cc/sec, recurrent UTIs from obstruction, or strictures requiring dilation every 2-3 months).
- 10% — You qualify for 10% under the UTI sub-formula with 1-2 hospitalizations per year for prostate infection, OR continuous suppressive antibiotic therapy for 6+ months.
- 0% — You qualify for 0% under the obstructed voiding sub-formula if obstructive symptoms only require dilation 1-2 times per year or no dilation.
- 0% — You qualify for 0% under the UTI sub-formula if recurrent prostate infections do not require hospitalization but do require suppressive antibiotic therapy for less than 6 months.