What are the VA rating percentages for Overactive Bladder Syndrome?

Overactive Bladder Syndrome (DC 7542) is rated at 40%, 20%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.115a. Daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or; awakening to void five or more times per night

What rates 40% for Overactive Bladder Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.115a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.115a (DC 7542), a 40% rating for Overactive Bladder Syndrome requires: Daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or; awakening to void five or more times per night

What rates 20% for Overactive Bladder Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.115a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.115a (DC 7542), a 20% rating for Overactive Bladder Syndrome requires: Daytime voiding interval between one and two hours, or; awakening to void three to four times per night

What rates 10% for Overactive Bladder Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.115a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.115a (DC 7542), a 10% rating for Overactive Bladder Syndrome requires: Daytime voiding interval between two and three hours, or; awakening to void two times per night

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CLAIM RECON INTEL

Overactive Bladder Syndrome

Q: What evidence do I need for a Overactive Bladder Syndrome VA claim?

Key evidence for a Overactive Bladder Syndrome claim includes: A voiding diary recording pad/appliance changes per day, daytime voiding intervals, and nighttime awakenings; Lab reports showing GFR or eGFR across at least 3 consecutive months (renal dysfunction); Urology records showing post-void residual volume, uroflowmetry peak flow, or catheterization needs; Records of recurrent UTIs, including hospitalizations and any suppressive drug therapy; Imaging or operative reports confirming the genitourinary diagnosis. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 754238 C.F.R. § 4.115a

Diagnostic Code

DC 7542

38 C.F.R. § 4.115a

Rating Range

10–40%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.115b

Overactive Bladder Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7542 of 38 CFR § 4.115a across 3 severity tiers (40% / 20% / 10%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate, often with urge incontinence, frequency, and nocturia. Not caused by infection. May result from nerve damage, medications, or aging.

Rating Criteria

40%

Daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or; awakening to void five or more times per night

20%

Daytime voiding interval between one and two hours, or; awakening to void three to four times per night

10%

Daytime voiding interval between two and three hours, or; awakening to void two times per night

Key Evidence

—A voiding diary recording pad/appliance changes per day, daytime voiding intervals, and nighttime awakenings

—Lab reports showing GFR or eGFR across at least 3 consecutive months (renal dysfunction)

—Urology records showing post-void residual volume, uroflowmetry peak flow, or catheterization needs

—Records of recurrent UTIs, including hospitalizations and any suppressive drug therapy

—Imaging or operative reports confirming the genitourinary diagnosis

—Complete list of genitourinary medications

C&P Exam Tips

1If your condition causes voiding dysfunction, the rating often turns on absorbent materials or appliance use (38 CFR 4.115a) - count and report how many times per day you change a pad or appliance (more than 4x/day supports the highest level).

2For urinary frequency, document your daytime voiding interval and how many times you wake to void at night - both are explicit thresholds.

3For obstructed voiding, ask whether your record shows post-void residual volume, peak flow rate (uroflowmetry), or a need for catheterization.

4If the kidneys are involved, the rating is driven by GFR (38 CFR 4.115a) - request an eGFR lab and note that it must persist for at least 3 consecutive months in the past 12 months.

5For recurrent urinary tract infections, document drainage by stent/nephrostomy, hospitalizations per year, and any continuous/suppressive drug therapy.

6Report your worst days, bring a voiding diary, and describe how the condition affects sleep, work, and daily activity.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b (Genitourinary system — diagnoses). Source verified 2026-06-04 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.115b on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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