How Does VA Rate Bladder Cancer?

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Bladder cancer is a condition affecting a number of veterans after military service, often due to toxic exposures such as contaminated water supplies. Veterans can receive disability compensation from VA if their bladder cancer is service-connected and the cancer or its residuals (i.e., resulting symptoms) are still active.

How Does VA Rate Active Bladder Cancer?

After approving a claim, VA assigns a rating to each of a veteran’s service-connected disabilities. Bladder cancer is rated using 38 C.F.R. Part 4 — Schedule for Rating Disabilities, specifically Diagnostic Code 7528, “malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system.”

• For veterans suffering from an active form of bladder cancer, or those in a period of post-treatment convalescence, VA will give a temporary and total disability rating.
• While receiving “x-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures” for bladder cancer, VA will assign veterans a temporary 100 percent disability rating for up to six months following the end of treatment.
• If a veteran’s bladder cancer remains active, VA will extend their temporary and total disability rating until the cancer goes into remission.

Once veterans stop receiving treatment due to remission, VA will schedule a follow-up Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam in order to reevaluate the condition.

How Does VA Rate Residuals of Bladder Cancer?

Even after a veteran’s bladder cancer is treated, VA may still give disability compensation for residual symptoms. VA will rate the most predominant residual, typically either renal (kidney) dysfunction or voiding dysfunction.

VA Ratings for Renal Dysfunction Due to Bladder Cancer

VA rates renal dysfunction — a potential residual of cancer of the bladder — at intervals of 0, 30, 60, 80, or 100 percent, based on severity. For example, if a veteran requires regular dialysis, VA will likely rate them as 100 percent disabled. Conversely, if a veteran’s residuals result in non-compensable, their rating will be 0 percent. VA examiners rate kidney functionality using blood tests to measure blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels.

VA Ratings for Voiding Dysfunction Due to Bladder Cancer

Voiding dysfunction includes residuals such as urinary leakage, urinary frequency, and obstructed voiding.

• Urinary leakage is rated at 20, 40, or 60 percent, based upon the need for absorbent materials; the number of absorbent materials a veteran requires throughout the course of a day determines his or her disability rating.
• The rating for urinary frequency — 10, 20, or 40 percent — is dependent upon how often a veteran needs to empty the bladder throughout the day or night. For example, if a veteran must use the restroom at intervals less than one hour apart, or if he or she wakes up to use the restroom five or more times per night, VA’s rating schedule calls for a 40 percent disability rating.
• Obstructed voiding, where the body retains too much urine, is rated at 0, 10, or 30 percent. For example, if a veteran requires “intermittent or continuous catheterization” to void the bladder, the rating schedule calls for a 30 percent rating.

VA Benefits for Erectile Dysfunction Due to Bladder Cancer

Erectile dysfunction (ED) may result as a secondary condition to bladder cancer. Veterans who experience ED as a result of their service-connected cancer of the bladder may qualify for a level of special monthly compensation, SMC(k), for loss of use of a creative organ.

Denied or Underrated for Bladder Cancer?