Diagnostic Code 7621 · 38 CFR §4.116
DC 7621 covers complete or incomplete pelvic organ prolapse caused by injury, disease, or surgical complications of pregnancy. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when a pelvic organ such as the bladder, urethra, uterus, vagina, small bowel, or rectum drops from its normal position. Related conditions include uterine or vaginal vault prolapse, cystocele (bladder prolapse), urethrocele (urethral prolapse), rectocele (rectal prolapse), enterocele (small bowel prolapse), or any combination of these. Veterans may develop prolapse from physical strain during service, injuries, complications from childbirth that occurred during service, or surgical complications. The VA assigns a base rating of 10 percent for the prolapse itself, then rates any associated symptoms separately under their appropriate diagnostic codes.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Complete or incomplete pelvic organ prolapse due to injury, disease, or surgical complications of pregnancy. This is the only rating level for the prolapse itself. However, the CFR directs that genitourinary, digestive, or skin symptoms caused by the prolapse should be rated separately under the appropriate diagnostic codes and combined with this 10 percent evaluation. |
Gynecological or urological examination documenting the prolapse and its type (cystocele, rectocele, uterine prolapse, etc.) is essential. Imaging studies or specialized testing (urodynamics, defecography) may quantify the severity. Records documenting the cause — in-service injury, childbirth complications during service, or surgical complications — establish the service connection. Current treatment records showing any conservative management (pessary use, pelvic floor therapy) or surgical interventions demonstrate the ongoing impact. Records of associated symptoms (urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, skin irritation) support separate secondary ratings.
The 10 percent is the base rating for the prolapse itself. However, the CFR specifically directs that genitourinary symptoms (like urinary incontinence), digestive symptoms (like bowel dysfunction), and skin symptoms be rated separately under their own diagnostic codes and combined with the 10 percent. This means your total combined rating for prolapse and all its effects can be significantly higher than 10 percent.
Yes. Prolapse can result from physical strain during service, injuries to the pelvic area, complications from childbirth that occurred during service, or surgical complications from military medical procedures. The key is documenting the cause and connecting it to your service.