Reference: 38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500

Sources & Related Guides

What is the VA rating for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Based on GFR ranges and serum creatinine thresholds.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

Rated under the General Rating Formula for Renal Diseases based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), persistent edema, or dialysis.

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Explore Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Criteria & Tools

Start AssessmentAnswer condition-scoped questions using documented findings from your records or exam notes.ContinuePercentage GuideSee the published percentage tiers and what changes between them.ContinueSecondary ConditionsSee conditions commonly connected to this one in VA claims.Continue

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Common Questions & FAQs

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What are you trying to understand about chronic kidney disease (ckd)?

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Overview

About this condition

Rated under the General Rating Formula for Renal Diseases based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), persistent edema, or dialysis.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500

This guide provides regulatory reference criteria under 38 CFR Part 4. RatingScope does not provide medical diagnoses or predict adjudicative outcomes.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

100%

Highest listed pathway

Requires regular dialysis, or bedridden with generalized edema, or GFR less than 15 mL/min.

What separates the next level: Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500 establishes the 100% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 100% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 100% criteria under 38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500.
Medical evidence
Kidney Conditions (Nephrology) DBQ; Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
chronic-kidney-disease; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7500

80%

Next: 100%

Persistent edema and GFR 15 to 29 mL/min, or marked generalized hypertension.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 100% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500 establishes the 80% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 80% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 80% criteria under 38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500.
Medical evidence
Kidney Conditions (Nephrology) DBQ; Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
chronic-kidney-disease; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7500

60%

Next: 80%

Persistent albuminuria with GFR 30 to 59 mL/min, or BUN 40 to 80 mg/dL.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 80% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500 establishes the 60% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 60% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 60% criteria under 38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500.
Medical evidence
Kidney Conditions (Nephrology) DBQ; Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
chronic-kidney-disease; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7500

30%

Next: 60%

Albuminuria greater than 200 mg/day with GFR 60 to 89 mL/min, or mild hypertension.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500 establishes the 30% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 30% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 30% criteria under 38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500.
Medical evidence
Kidney Conditions (Nephrology) DBQ; Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
chronic-kidney-disease; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7500

0%

Next: 30%

Minimal proteinuria without GFR impairment or persistent hypertension.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 30% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500 establishes the 0% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 0% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 0% criteria under 38 CFR 4.115a, DC 7500.
Medical evidence
Kidney Conditions (Nephrology) DBQ; Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
chronic-kidney-disease; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7500

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) DBQ

The DBQ organizes diagnosis and clinical findings for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

A DBQ is useful context, but RatingScope does not require uploads and this hub does not accept records.

Diagnosis and treatment records

Treatment notes can show the current condition, course over time, therapy, and clinician observations.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Official VA Forms & DBQs

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

Take the public DBQ to your private physician or review it prior to your C&P examination.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

How is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) evaluated?

Rated under the General Rating Formula for Renal Diseases based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), persistent edema, or dialysis.

What separates the 100% rating from adjacent levels?

Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

What separates the 80% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 100% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 60% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 80% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 30% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 0% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 30% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Related Conditions

Continue learning through connected topics

Ready when you are

Compare documented Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) findings

Use diagnosis and findings already documented in your records. Do not upload records or enter sensitive identifiers. RatingScope does not infer missing medical findings or predict a VA decision.

Informational guidance only. RatingScope does not predict, decide, or guarantee VA outcomes.

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Continue Understanding

External source/reference

38 CFR 4.97, DC 7500

Official regulation source for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Use the official source for current rule text.

Open 38 CFR 4.97, DC 7500

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) yet.

Educational Guides & Evidence Resources

In-depth analysis of DBQ forms, medical evidence thresholds, and rating schedules for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Chronic Kidney Disease & Renal Failure: How VA Rates Kidney Function

Learn how VA evaluates Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), renal dysfunction, eGFR lab ranges, dialysis, and kidney transplants under 38 CFR 4.115a and Diagnostic Codes 7502 and 7512.

Genitourinary Conditions C&P Exam & DBQs: What VA Looks For

Understand how VA C&P examiners evaluate kidney dysfunction, voiding disorders, and male reproductive conditions using official Disability Benefits Questionnaires.

How VA Rates Diabetes: DC 7913 Diet, Insulin, and Regulation of Activities Criteria

Understand how the VA rates diabetes mellitus under 38 CFR 4.119 (DC 7913) using dietary restrictions, oral medications, insulin, and activity limits.

How VA Rates Hypertension: DC 7101 Blood Pressure Readings and Medication Criteria

Learn how the VA evaluates hypertension under 38 CFR 4.104 (DC 7101) based on diastolic readings, systolic readings, and continuous medication.

Kidney Stones & Nephrolithiasis: How VA Rates Calculi and Colic

Understand how the VA rates kidney stones under 38 CFR 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7508, invasive treatments like lithotripsy, and higher evaluations under renal scales.

How VA Rates Kidney Stones: DC 7508 Nephrolithiasis and Surgery Criteria

Learn how the VA evaluates kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) under 38 CFR 4.115b (DC 7508) based on colic attacks, diet restrictions, and surgery.

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Related Tools

Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.

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VA Math & Combined Ratings

Understand the whole-person method, final rounding, and bilateral limits, then calculate how percentages combine.

Open VA Math guide

Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

Open Evidence Center