C&P Exam for Neurogenic bladder (DC 7542)

Read the C&P exam preparation guideWhat happens at the exam, what 38 CFR Part 4 requires the examiner to record, and what to bring.
Diagnostic code: 7542Condition: Neurogenic bladderRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.115bDBQ: DBQ GU Urinary Tract Conditions

Which form the examiner uses

For neurogenic bladder (DC 7542), 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 urinary tract conditions of the bladder and urethra (excluding kidney) including voiding dysfunction, urolithiasis, and bladder/urethral infections.

How DC 7542 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III and VIII-XI of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections IV-VII cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

7 of 11 sections apply to DC 7542 on this DBQ
DIAGNOSIS (Section I) MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II) VOIDING DYSFUNCTION (Section III) OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section VIII) DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section IX) FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section X) REMARKS (Section XI)
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • Does the Veteran currently have, or have they ever been diagnosed with, a urinary tract condition of the bladder or urethra?
  • Diagnosis #1 - ICD code - Date of diagnosis
  • Diagnosis #2 - ICD code - Date of diagnosis
  • Diagnosis #3 - ICD code - Date of diagnosis
  • If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to urinary tract conditions of the bladder or urethra, list using above format
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's urinary tract condition - brief summary
VOIDING DYSFUNCTION (Section III)
  • Does the Veteran have a voiding dysfunction?
  • Etiology of voiding dysfunction, if known
  • Does the voiding dysfunction cause urine leakage?
  • 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
  • Does the voiding dysfunction require the use of an appliance? If yes, describe the appliance
  • Does the voiding dysfunction cause increased urinary frequency?
  • Daytime voiding interval less than 1 hour
  • Daytime voiding interval between 1 and 2 hours
  • Daytime voiding interval between 2 and 3 hours
  • Nighttime awakening to void 2 times
  • Nighttime awakening to void 3 to 4 times
  • Nighttime awakening to void 5 or more times
  • Does the voiding dysfunction cause signs or symptoms of obstructed voiding?
  • Hesitancy
  • Slow stream
  • Weak stream
  • Decreased force of stream
  • Urinary retention requiring intermittent catheterization
  • Urinary retention requiring continuous catheterization
  • Uroflowmetry peak flow rate less than 10 cc/sec
  • Post void residuals greater than 150 cc
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to obstruction
  • Stricture disease
  • If selected, indicate frequency of periodic dilatation: Does not require dilatation / Requires dilatation 1 to 2 times per year / Every 2 to 3 months / Other, specify
UROLITHIASIS (Section IV)
  • Does the Veteran have a history of bladder calculi (cystolithiasis) or urethral calculi (urethrolithiasis)?
  • Indicate location of calculi - Bladder
  • Indicate location of calculi - Urethra
  • Has the Veteran had treatment for recurrent stone formation in the bladder or urethra?
  • Invasive or non-invasive procedures two times or less per year
  • Invasive or non-invasive procedures more than two times per year
  • Diet therapy
  • Drug therapy
  • Does the Veteran have signs or symptoms due to cystolithiasis or urethrolithiasis?
  • Infection
  • Voiding dysfunction
  • Impaired kidney function
  • Occasional attacks of colic
  • Frequent attacks of colic
  • Is catheter drainage required?
BLADDER OR URETHRAL INFECTION (Section V)
  • Does the Veteran have a history of recurrent, symptomatic bladder or urethral infections?
  • Etiology of bladder or urethral infections, if known
  • No treatment
  • Suppressive drug therapy
  • If checked, list medications used and indicate dates for courses of treatment over the past 12 months
  • Lasting 6 months or longer
  • For less than 6 months
  • Hospitalization
  • If checked, indicate frequency of hospitalizations: 1 or 2 per year / More than 2 per year
  • Drainage by stent or nephrostomy tube
  • If checked, indicate dates drainage was performed over the past 12 months
  • Continuous intensive management required
  • If checked, indicate types of treatment and medications used over the past 12 months
  • Recurrent symptomatic infection
OTHER BLADDER OR URETHRAL CONDITIONS (Section VI)
  • Does the Veteran have any findings, signs, or symptoms attributable to a bladder fistula?
  • Does the Veteran have any findings, signs, or symptoms attributable to diverticulum of the bladder?
  • Does the Veteran have suprapubic cystotomy? If yes, provide name of facility and date of procedure
  • Does the Veteran have any findings, signs, or symptoms attributable to a urethral fistula?
  • Does the Veteran have multiple urethroperineal fistulae?
  • Does the Veteran have a neurogenic or severely dysfunctional bladder?
  • Does the Veteran have a history of bladder injury?
  • Has the Veteran had other bladder surgery?
  • Is there any renal dysfunction due to a condition noted in this section?
  • 6J. Comments (if any, please identify the question number to which the comment pertains)
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VII)
  • Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section?
  • Is the neoplasm: Benign / Malignant
  • If malignant: Active / In remission
  • If malignant: Primary / Secondary (metastatic); if secondary, indicate the primary site, if known
  • 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
  • Radiation therapy - Date of most recent treatment; Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • Antineoplastic chemotherapy - Date of most recent treatment; Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • Other therapeutic procedure - If checked, describe procedure; Date of most recent procedure
  • Other therapeutic treatment - If checked, describe treatment; Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • 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
  • 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 VIII)
  • Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs, and/or symptoms related to any of the conditions listed in the Diagnosis Section? If yes, describe - brief summary
  • Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement of the skin related to any conditions, or to the treatment of any of the conditions, listed in the Diagnosis Section?
  • 8C. Comments, if any
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section IX)
  • Has the Veteran had diagnostic testing in conjunction with this exam?
  • If yes, provide significant findings and/or results (type of test or procedure, date and results) - brief summary
  • 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 X)
  • Does the Veteran's condition of the bladder or urethra impact his or her ability to work?
  • If yes, describe the impact of each of the Veteran's bladder or urethra condition(s), providing one or more examples
REMARKS (Section XI)
  • 11A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate)

Rating Levels for DC 7542

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.

View the full DC 7542 pageSearch BVA decisions for this codeAbout DBQ forms

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.