Diagnostic Code 7527 · 38 CFR §4.115b
DC 7527 covers prostate gland injuries, infections (prostatitis), and enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia/BPH). This is one of the most common VA disability claims among older male veterans. Prostatitis can develop from infections acquired during service, and BPH causes progressive urinary obstruction. The condition is rated based on voiding dysfunction — how it affects urination. Agent Orange-exposed veterans have prostate cancer rated under a separate code (DC 7528).
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Mild symptoms not requiring treatment. |
| 10% | Daytime voiding interval between 2 and 3 hours, OR awakening to void 2 times per night, OR requiring continuous medical management. |
| 20% | Daytime voiding interval between 1 and 2 hours, OR awakening to void 3 to 4 times per night. (Urinary leakage pathway: requiring wearing absorbent materials changed less than 2 times per day also pays 20%.) |
| 40% | Daytime voiding interval less than 1 hour, OR awakening to void 5 or more times per night. (Leakage pathway: absorbent materials changed 2-4 times per day pays 40%. Obstruction pathway: urinary retention requiring catheterization pays 30%.) |
| 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. |
PSA levels and prostate examination findings document the condition. Urodynamic testing shows how the prostate affects urination. A voiding diary documenting frequency and nocturia is very valuable. Treatment records for medications (alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors) show management needs. If claiming prostatitis, cultures showing infection during service establish the nexus. For BPH, onset documentation during or near service is important.
No. BPH is a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate that is extremely common in older men. It is rated under DC 7527 for voiding dysfunction. Prostate cancer is rated under DC 7528 as a malignant neoplasm with a 100% rating during treatment. They are separate conditions with different diagnostic codes and rating criteria.
Yes. Bacterial prostatitis from infections acquired during service is directly service-connectable. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome that began during or worsened during service can also be connected. Service treatment records showing prostate complaints during active duty are the strongest evidence.