Prostate Conditions (BPH, Prostatitis)
Prostate conditions including injuries, infections, enlargement (hypertrophy), and post-surgical residuals are rated under DC 7527. The condition is not rated on the prostate itself but on the urinary symptoms it causes. The VA uses either the UTI schedule or the urinary rating system (frequency, obstructed voiding, or voiding dysfunction), whichever best captures the veteran's symptoms and produces the higher rating.
VA Rating Levels
UTI schedule: Regular infections requiring 1-2 hospitalizations per year, occasional intensive treatment, or regular continuous medication.
Urinary rating system: Voiding dysfunction with absorbent materials changed once daily, or urinary frequency every 1-2 hours during the day or 3-4 times at night.
Urinary rating system: Voiding dysfunction with pad changes 2-4 times daily, or frequency of less than every hour or 5+ times at night.
Urinary rating system: Requires appliance or absorbent material changes more than 4 times daily.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →Most prostate conditions achieve higher ratings through the urinary rating system (up to 60%) rather than the UTI schedule (up to 30%). Focus on documenting urinary symptoms.
- →Common secondary conditions from prostate surgery include erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation (especially after TURP), urinary incontinence, and scars. Pursue separate ratings for each.
- →Surgery on the prostate (such as TURP) that causes retrograde ejaculation or ED qualifies for SMC-K in all cases after radical prostatectomy.
- →Agent Orange and burn pit-exposed veterans have presumptive pathways for prostate cancer. An elevated PSA alone is not sufficient for a prostate cancer diagnosis for VA purposes; a biopsy is required.
- →Document all urinary symptoms thoroughly: frequency during day and night, stream strength, hesitancy, incontinence, and pad usage. These determine your rating level.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7527