Renal disease, chronic (DC 7530) | VA Rating Tool

Diagnostic Code7530
CategoryThe Genitourinary System
Also Known AsDisease, chronic, CKD, chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, dialysis, renal failure
📊 What Veterans Actually Get
30%
Most Common Rating
35.0%
of Vets Get This
55.0%
Approval Rate
#35
Most Claimed

Chronic kidney disease is rated based on lab values (albumin, BUN, creatinine). The 30% rating requires albumin constant or recurring with hyaline/granular casts or red blood cells. Advanced CKD with dialysis is rated at 100%.

Pro Tip: CKD secondary to diabetes or hypertension is very common. If you have diabetes and declining kidney function, file CKD as secondary. Each decline in kidney function is tracked by your GFR — get regular lab work.
Rating Criteria
Rating Criteria
100% Requiring regular dialysis, or precluding more than sedentary activity from one of the following: persistent edema and albuminuria; or, BUN more than 80 mg%; or, creatinine more than 8 mg%; or, markedly decreased function of kidney or other organ systems, especially cardiovascular
80% Persistent edema and albuminuria with BUN 40 to 80 mg%; or, creatinine 4 to 8 mg%; or, generalized poor health characterized by lethargy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, or limitation of exertion
60% Constant albuminuria with some edema; or, definite decrease in kidney function; or, hypertension at least 40 percent disabling under diagnostic code 7101
30% Albumin constant or recurring with hyaline and granular casts or red blood cells; or, transient or slight edema; or, hypertension at least 10 percent disabling under diagnostic code 7101
0% Albumin and casts with history of acute nephritis; or, hypertension non-compensable under diagnostic code 7101

Conditions Secondary to This

3 links
Hypertensive vascular disease
7101
Strong

Chronic kidney disease directly causes or worsens hypertension through fluid retention and renin-angiotensin system dysfunction.

Iron deficiency anemia
7720
Strong

Chronic kidney disease commonly causes anemia due to reduced erythropoietin production.

Major depressive disorder
9434
Moderate

CKD causes depression through dietary restrictions, dialysis burden, fatigue, and reduced life expectancy concerns.

This May Be Secondary To

6 links
Diabetes mellitus
DC 7913
Strong

Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.

Hepatitis C (or non-A, non-B hepatitis)
DC 7354
Strong

Hepatitis C can cause chronic kidney disease through hepatitis-associated glomerulonephritis.

Hypertensive vascular disease
DC 7101
Strong

Chronic hypertension damages kidney blood vessels over time, commonly causing chronic kidney disease (hypertensive nephropathy).

Lupus erythematosus
DC 6350
Strong

Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious complications of lupus, causing chronic kidney disease.

Multiple myeloma
DC 7712
Strong

Multiple myeloma frequently causes kidney damage (myeloma kidney) through light chain deposition and hypercalcemia.

Sickle cell anemia
DC 7714
Strong

Sickle cell disease causes chronic kidney damage through repeated sickling events in renal blood vessels.

Disclaimer: Secondary connections shown are based on commonly established medical links. Individual claims require medical evidence. Consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney.