EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Renal Artery Stenosis
DC 7502 | 38 CFR § 4.115a-b, DC 7502 |
Renal Artery Stenosis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7502 of 38 CFR § 4.115a-b, DC 7502 across 4 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 40% / 60%). 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.
OVERVIEW
Narrowing of one or both renal arteries, reducing blood flow to the kidneys. Causes renovascular hypertension and progressive kidney damage. May be caused by atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
10%
Daytime voiding interval between two and three hours, or awakening to void two times per night; or mild renal dysfunction.
20%
Daytime voiding interval between one and two hours, or awakening to void three to four times per night; or requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed less than two times per day.
40%
Daytime voiding interval less than one hour, or awakening to void five or more times per night; or requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed two to four times per day.
60%
Requiring the use of an appliance or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than four times per day; or moderate to severe renal dysfunction.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026