Urinary Frequency VA Disability Ratings
What Is Urinary Frequency?
Urinary frequency is the need to urinate more often than normal. Frequent urination may also be accompanied by a sudden, strong need to urinate, also known as urgent urination. If urinary frequency occurs during the night, it is called nocturia.
Causes
Common causes of urinary frequency include:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Swelling and infection of the urethra
- Vaginitis
- Nerve related problems
- Caffeine intake
- Enlarged prostate (specifically in middle-aged and older men)
- Drinking large amounts of liquid
Other, less common causes of urinary frequency include alcohol use, spine problems, diabetes, pregnancy, anxiety, certain medications, interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder syndrome, stroke, radiation therapy to the pelvis, or a tumor or growth in the pelvis.
Treatments
Treatment of urinary frequency depends on the cause. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe antibiotics or other medicine to ease the discomfort.
Individuals should contact their doctor if they are experiencing urinary frequency but are not pregnant or drinking large amounts of fluid.
Service Connection for Urinary Frequency
Veterans can qualify for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for urinary frequency, depending on how often urination occurs. To qualify for VA compensation, veterans must first establish service connection.
To establish service connection on a direct basis, veterans need evidence of the following three things:
- An in-service event, injury, or illness;
- A current diagnosis of a disabling condition by a medical professional; and
- A nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current disability.
Veterans can request a nexus opinion from their private physician to fulfill the nexus element. In a nexus opinion, the physician should state whether they believe the veteran’s condition is “at least as likely as not” the result of military service.
Secondary Service Connection for Urinary Frequency
Often, urinary frequency is a symptom or effect of another service-connected condition, such as type 2 diabetes or anxiety. If this is the case, veterans can establish service connection on a secondary basis for urinary frequency.
To prove secondary service connection for urinary frequency, veterans must demonstrate two things:
- A current diagnosis of urinary frequency; and
- Medical evidence showing the relationship between the primary service-connected condition and the secondary condition (i.e., urinary frequency).
VA offers disability benefits at the same rates for both primary and secondary service-connected conditions.
Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exam for Urinary Frequency
A Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is a medical examination performed by a VA healthcare provider or a VA contracted provider. Specifically, VA uses C&P exams to determine if service connection is warranted and to collect evidence to assign a VA disability rating if service connection is granted.
During the exam, the examiner may physically examine the veteran and ask questions regarding the veteran’s urinary frequency and their military service. They also may ask questions about the veteran’s day-to-day life to understand how the urinary frequency impacts their lifestyle.
It is important to honestly discuss your condition during a C&P exam. Be honest about your urinary frequency symptoms, how many times a day it affects you, and how it interferes with your daily life.
VA Ratings for Urinary Frequency
Urinary frequency is rated under 38 CFR § 4.115a, Ratings of the Genitourinary System – Dysfunctions. VA may rate urinary frequency at 10, 20, or 40 percent disabling, depending on the frequency and time of day. The rating criteria are as follows:
- 40 percent – urinating more than every hour daily or five or more times during the night
- 20 percent – urinating every 1-2 hours daily or 3-4 times per night
- 10 percent – urinating every 2-3 hours daily or at least twice at night
Did VA Deny Your Claim for Urinary Frequency?
If VA denied you benefits for urinary frequency, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help. Reach out to CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free case review.
