C&P Exam for Testis, atrophy complete (DC 7523)

Diagnostic code: 7523Condition: Testis, atrophy completeRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.115bDBQ: DBQ GU Male Reproductive Organ

Which form the examiner uses

For testis, atrophy complete (DC 7523), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What the examiner records

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates male reproductive organ conditions including erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, voiding dysfunction, and infections of the male reproductive organ.

How DC 7523 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-II, VII, and IX-XII of this form. Section VII is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections III-VI and VIII cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire:
  • 1B. Does the Veteran now have or has he ever been diagnosed with any conditions of the male reproductive system?
  • 1C. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s). Check all that apply.
  • Erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Testis, atrophy, one or both — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Testis, removal, one or both — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Epididymitis, chronic — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Orchitis (unilateral or bilateral), chronic only — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Urethritis — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Varicocele/Hydrocele — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Prostatitis — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Prostate gland injuries, infections, hypertrophy, postoperative residuals, bladder outlet obstruction — ICD code / Date of diagnosis / Specify specific diagnosis
  • Neoplasms of the male reproductive system, including prostate cancer — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #1 — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #2 — ICD code / Date of diagnosis
  • 1D. If there are any additional diagnoses that pertain to male reproductive organ conditions, list using above format:
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. Describe the history, including onset and course, of the Veteran's male reproductive organ condition(s), including prostate cancer. Brief summary:
  • 2B. Does the Veteran's treatment plan include taking continuous medication for the diagnosed condition?
  • List medications taken for the male reproductive organ condition:
  • 2C. Has the Veteran had an orchiectomy?
  • Indicate testicle removed: Right / Left / Both
  • Indicate reason for removal: Undescended / Congenitally underdeveloped / Other, provide reason for removal:
  • 2D. Is there any renal dysfunction due to any conditions listed in the diagnosis section?
VOIDING DYSFUNCTION (Section III)
  • 3A. Does the Veteran have a voiding dysfunction?
  • 3B. Etiology of voiding dysfunction:
  • 3C. Does the voiding dysfunction cause urine leakage?
  • Indicate severity: Does not require the wearing of absorbent material / Requires absorbent material which must be changed less than 2 times per day / Requires absorbent material which must be changed 2 to 4 times per day / Requires absorbent material which must be changed more than 4 times per day / Other
  • 3D. Does the voiding dysfunction require the use of an appliance?
  • If yes, describe the appliance:
  • 3E. Does the voiding dysfunction cause increased urinary frequency?
  • Daytime voiding interval between 2 and 3 hours
  • Daytime voiding interval between 1 and 2 hours
  • Daytime voiding interval less than 1 hour
  • Nighttime awakening to void 2 times
  • Nighttime awakening to void 3 to 4 times
  • Nighttime awakening to void 5 or more times
  • 3F. Does the voiding dysfunction cause signs or symptoms of obstructed voiding?
  • Hesitancy
  • Slow stream
  • Weak stream
  • Decreased force of stream
  • Obstructive symptomatology without stricture disease requiring dilatation 1 to 2 times per year
  • Stricture disease requiring dilatation 1 to 2 times per year
  • Stricture disease requiring periodic dilatation every 2 to 3 months
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to obstruction
  • Uroflowmetry peak flow rate less than 10 cc/sec
  • Post void residuals greater than 150 cc
  • Urinary retention requiring intermittent catheterization
  • Urinary retention requiring continuous catheterization
  • Other — Describe other:
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (Section IV)
  • 4A. Does the Veteran have erectile dysfunction?
  • If yes, provide etiology, if known.
  • Etiology unknown
RETROGRADE EJACULATION (Section V)
  • 5A. Does the Veteran have retrograde ejaculation?
  • If yes, provide etiology, if known.
  • Etiology unknown
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN INFECTIONS, INCLUDING URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (Section VI)
  • 6A. Does the Veteran have a history of chronic prostatitis, urethritis, epididymitis, orchitis, or urinary tract infections?
  • No treatment
  • Recurrent symptomatic infection requiring drainage by stent or nephrostomy tube — indicate dates drainage was performed over the past 12 months
  • Recurrent symptomatic infection requiring hospitalization — indicate frequency: 1 or 2 per year / Greater than 2 times per year
  • Recurrent symptomatic infection requiring continuous intensive management — indicate types of treatment and medications used over the past 12 months
  • Recurrent symptomatic infection requiring suppressive drug therapy — For less than 6 months / Lasting 6 months or longer — list medications used and indicate dates for courses of treatment over the past 12 months
  • Other — Describe other:
PHYSICAL EXAM (Section VII)
  • 7A. Penis: Normal / Not examined per Veteran's request / Not examined per Veteran's request; Veteran reports normal anatomy with no penile deformity or abnormality / Not examined; penis exam not relevant to condition / Abnormal
  • If abnormal: Loss/removal of less than half / Loss/removal of half or more / Loss/removal of glans / Penis deformity — If checked, describe:
  • 7B. Testes: Normal (Indicate side: Right / Left / Both) / Not examined per Veteran's request / Not examined per Veteran's request; Veteran reports normal anatomy with no testicular deformity or abnormality / Not examined; testicular exam not relevant to condition / Abnormal
  • Right testicle: Complete atrophy of / Size 1/3 or less of normal / Size 1/2 or less, but more than 1/3 of normal / Considerably harder than the contralateral (corresponding) normal testicle / Considerably softer than the contralateral (corresponding) normal testicle / Absent / Other abnormality — Describe:
  • Left testicle: Complete atrophy of / Size 1/3 or less of normal / Size 1/2 or less, but more than 1/3 of normal / Considerably harder than the contralateral (corresponding) normal testicle / Considerably softer than the contralateral (corresponding) normal testicle / Absent / Other abnormality — Describe:
  • 7C. Epididymis: Normal (Indicate side: Right / Left / Both) / Not examined per Veteran's request / Not examined per Veteran's request; Veteran reports normal anatomy of epididymis with no deformity or abnormality / Not examined; epididymis exam not relevant to condition / Abnormal
  • Right epididymis: Tender to palpation / Other — Describe other:
  • Left epididymis: Tender to palpation / Other — Describe other:
  • 7D. Prostate: Normal / Not examined per Veteran's request / Not examined; not medically advisable — Please provide brief description: / Not examined; prostate exam not relevant to condition / Abnormal — If abnormal, describe.
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VIII)
  • 8A. Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section?
  • 8B. Is the neoplasm: Benign / Malignant — Active / In remission — Primary / Secondary (metastatic) — If secondary, indicate the primary site, if known.
  • 8C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases?
  • Treatment completed
  • Surgery — If checked, describe: / Date(s) of surgery:
  • Prostatectomy: Radical prostatectomy — Date of surgery: / Other — Describe other: / Date of surgery:
  • Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) — Date of surgery:
  • Radiation therapy — Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Antineoplastic chemotherapy — Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Brachytherapy — Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Androgen deprivation therapy (hormonal therapy) — Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Other therapeutic procedure and/or treatment. Describe: / Date of procedure, if applicable: / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion, if applicable:
  • 8D. Does the Veteran currently have any residuals or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above? — If yes, list residuals or complications (brief summary)
  • 8E. If there are additional benign or malignant neoplasms or metastases related to any of the diagnoses in the diagnosis section, describe using the above format.
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section IX)
  • 9A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to any conditions listed in the diagnosis section above? — If yes, describe. Brief summary:
  • 9B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement (of the skin) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section?
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section X)
  • 10A. Has a biopsy been performed?
  • Date of biopsy:
  • Results:
  • 10B. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es) that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination? — If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results. Brief summary:
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section XI)
  • 11A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)?
  • If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples:
REMARKS (Section XII)
  • 12A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).

Rating Levels for DC 7523

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 7523

The themes below were extracted by clustering 188 grant-factor sentences from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Frequencies indicate how often each theme appeared in the sample. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not advice or strategy for any specific claim.

  1. 25% Benefit of doubt doctrine applicability noted by Board
    The Board recorded that it considered, applied, or acknowledged the benefit of the doubt doctrine in reaching its determination, without specifying the outcome.
    47 of 188 sample sentences
  2. 20% Preponderance against claim, benefit of doubt inapplicable
    The Board found that the preponderance of evidence weighed against the claim, making the benefit of the doubt doctrine inapplicable and requiring denial.
    38 of 188 sample sentences
  3. 16% Benefit of doubt resolved in veteran's favor, claim granted
    The Board found evidence in approximate balance or equipoise and resolved the benefit of the doubt in the veteran's favor, granting the claimed benefit or rating.
    30 of 188 sample sentences
  4. 12% VA examiner nexus opinion cited as at least as likely as not
    A VA or private examiner's opinion establishing that a condition was at least as likely as not related to service, a service-connected disability, or an in-service event was recorded as supporting the claim.
    22 of 188 sample sentences
  5. 11% Equipoise standard and veteran prevailing principle stated
    The Board recorded the legal standard that when evidence supports a claim or is in relative equipoise, the veteran prevails, and when the preponderance is against the claim, it is denied.
    21 of 188 sample sentences
  6. 7% Negative nexus opinion cited against the claim
    An examiner's opinion finding that a condition was not at least as likely as not related to service, a service-connected disability, or an in-service event was documented as weighing against the claim.
    13 of 188 sample sentences
  7. 6% Specific rating percentage granted with benefit of doubt
    The Board applied the benefit of the doubt and found evidence supported a specific disability rating percentage for a particular condition, including scars, spine, or testicular disabilities.
    12 of 188 sample sentences
  8. 3% Evidence in equipoise on specific factual finding
    The Board recorded that evidence was at least in equipoise on a particular factual question such as current disability, nexus, symptom severity, or continuity of symptomatology.
    5 of 188 sample sentences

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.