Diagnostic Code 7512 · 38 CFR §4.115b
Interstitial cystitis (IC), also called painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain, and urinary urgency and frequency. Unlike a bacterial UTI, IC involves inflammation of the bladder wall without infection. It can be extremely disabling, with some patients urinating 40-60 times per day. Veterans may develop IC from bladder injuries during service, exposure to toxic chemicals, chronic UTIs that damaged the bladder lining, or from unknown triggers activated during service stress.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Daytime voiding interval between 2 and 3 hours, OR awakening to void 2 times per night. |
| 20% | Daytime voiding interval between 1 and 2 hours, OR awakening to void 3 to 4 times per night. |
| 40% | Daytime voiding interval less than 1 hour, OR awakening to void 5 or more times per night. (Urinary frequency maximum.) When urinary leakage requires wearing absorbent materials that must be changed 2-4 times per day, that pathway pays 40% — use whichever subcriterion is higher. |
| 60% | Continual urinary leakage, post-surgical urinary diversion, OR requiring use of an appliance, OR absorbent materials that must be changed more than 4 times per day. |
Cystoscopy showing bladder wall changes (Hunner lesions, glomerulations) provides objective evidence. Urodynamic testing documenting bladder function abnormalities supports the claim. A voiding diary recording the frequency and volume of urination over several days is very valuable. Treatment records showing medications and procedures demonstrate ongoing management. Service records connecting onset to a service-related cause establish eligibility.
Extremely important. The voiding diary is the single best piece of evidence for urinary frequency claims. Record every time you urinate, day and night, for at least a week. Note the time and approximate volume. This concrete data maps directly to the rating criteria and is much more persuasive than verbal descriptions alone.
Yes. If IC causes urine leakage requiring absorbent materials, the leakage criteria may provide a higher rating than frequency alone. Requiring absorbent materials changed more than 4 times per day qualifies for 60%. Make sure the examiner evaluates under all applicable voiding dysfunction categories.