Kidney stones can leave you in a great deal of pain and discomfort and may even make it impossible to work. If your kidney stones are the result of your military service or related to another service-connected condition, you deserve disability benefits. Read this post to better understand VA disability for kidney stones.
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The burning, pain, and frequent need to urinate are almost unbearable. You now know that kidney stones are the cause of your discomfort, but where did they come from? Kidney stones are common in veterans and can be caused by many service-connected issues. If you develop them within a year of service, they’re also presumed to be related to your military service. This post explains the VA rating for kidney stones.
In this article about the kidney stones VA rating:
“The firm got me to 70%, and I was happy. Individual unemployability was awarded to me and to this day, I’m so grateful. My future is no longer bleak. These people work very hard for you.”
R.C., a Navy veteran in Hawaii
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard mineral or salt deposits inside your kidneys. The condition is also sometimes called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis.
There are various causes for kidney stones, including diet, severe dehydration, illness, or medications. Kidney stones can block the flow of urine, cause infections, and result in severe pain. Some kidney stones even lead to kidney damage or failure.
Symptoms of kidney stones may include:
- Pain in the stomach, back, side, or groin
- Abnormal-colored or bloody urine
- Fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting
Sometimes, people can “pass” kidney stones, which is extremely painful and involves the stones leaving the body through the urethra. Other times, they may require surgery for removal.
Kidney stones VA rating
The VA rates kidney stones in the Schedule of Ratings using one of two codes. In most cases, it uses diagnostic code 7509 for hydronephrosis, or swelling of the kidneys. That rating criteria is as follows:
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent attacks of colic with infection (pyonephrosis), kidney function impaired | 30% | $537.42 |
| Frequent attacks of colic, requiring catheter drainage | 20% | $346.95 |
| Only an occasional attack of colic, not infected and not requiring catheter drainage | 10% | $175.51 |
However, severe cases of kidney stones may instead be rated as renal dysfunction. This rating considers the kidneys’ glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how well the kidneys are functioning. The worse the kidneys are working, the higher the rating. The renal dysfunction rating criteria is as follows:
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic kidney disease with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months; or requiring regular routine dialysis; or eligible kidney transplant recipient | 100% | $3,831.30 |
| Chronic kidney disease with GFR from 15 to 29 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months | 80% | $2,044.89 |
| Chronic kidney disease with GFR from 30 to 44 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months | 60% | $1,395.93 |
| Chronic kidney disease with GFR from 45 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months | 30% | $537.42 |
| GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2 and either recurrent red blood cell (RBC) casts, white blood cell (WBC) casts, or granular casts for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months; or GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2 and structural kidney abnormalities (cystic, obstructive, or glomerular) for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months; or GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2 and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months | 0% | None |
How are kidney stones service connected?
Kidney stones are common, with 11% of men and 6% of women in the U.S. developing them at some time in their lives. Studies have found that kidney stones are slightly more common in veterans, likely because of service-related diet, extreme exercise, and dehydration.
For these reasons, kidney stones, referred to as calculi of the kidneys, are a condition the VA considers presumptive within a year of service. This means the VA automatically presumes your kidney stones stem from service without requiring evidence of a connection if they manifest within a year from your discharge.
Otherwise, you’ll need to prove that military service caused your kidney stones. A medical professional may be able to provide a nexus letter that shows how some incident in service or other service-connected condition led you to develop kidney stones.
Kidney stones and secondary conditions
If you develop kidney stones as a result of another service-related health issue, you may be able to receive a secondary service connection for the stones.
Kidney stones may be secondary to conditions including:
- Hyperparathyroidism. This condition causes excess calcium in urine, resulting in a connection between hyperparathyroidism and the development of kidney stones.
- Gout. People with gout may develop kidney stones because they have higher levels of uric acid in their urine.
You also may develop kidney stones from some medications, including some antidepressants and those used to treat migraines.
TDIU for kidney issues
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits if they can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected conditions.
An inability to work because of kidney stones isn’t uncommon. One study found that about a third of people with kidney stones missed work. If the kidney stones are recurring or require surgery, the pain, fatigue, and discomfort associated with them could keep a person from being able to maintain consistent employment.
It’s also important to keep in mind most veterans receiving TDIU have more than one service-connected health condition contributing to their inability to work. In fact, the average veteran receiving VA disability has about six conditions they are rated for. Even a low rating for kidney stones may ultimately help you build your TDIU case.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
“If you were injured while serving this country and are reading this review, I encourage you to contact Woods & Woods right away. They are always standing ready to assist veterans in need.”
How our VA-accredited attorneys can help
If you have service-connected conditions that affect your ability to live and work, you deserve your full VA disability compensation. Contact Woods & Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can receive VA disability for kidney stones. The VA rates kidney stones based on the severity and frequency of symptoms.
Service-related factors may contribute to the development of kidney stones, including diet, extreme exercise, and dehydration. Kidney stones are a condition the VA considers presumptive within a year of discharge, automatically qualifying you for service connection if you develop them during that time.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
