Reviewed by Jonathan Teplitsky · Updated September 2026 · Informational only — not legal or medical advice; Rank and Pay is not affiliated with the VA.

A kidney cancer VA rating provides a temporary 100 percent disability evaluation during active malignancy and ongoing medical therapy under Diagnostic Code 7528. This temporary evaluation remains in place throughout treatment and continues until a mandatory Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation examination scheduled six months after medical therapy ends. Following that re-evaluation, the rating transitions to a permanent evaluation based on residual functional impairment, most commonly chronic renal dysfunction or urinary voiding issues.

For qualifying military personnel, presumptive service connection removes the legal requirement to prove that an in-service injury caused the cancer. Kidney cancer is recognized as an official presumptive condition for military personnel with verified service at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River. Understanding how the VA assigns disability percentages under Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) helps claimants submit proper medical documentation and protect their procedural rights during post-treatment reviews.

Camp Lejeune Presumptive Service Connection for Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is one of eight specific diseases granted presumptive service connection for military personnel exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. Codified at 38 CFR § 3.309(f), this statutory presumption applies to veterans, reservists, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, North Carolina, for no less than 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Those 30 days of service can be consecutive or nonconsecutive.

Presumptive status means a claimant does not need to secure a private medical nexus opinion to connect their diagnosis to military service. The VA presumes the toxic water supply caused the malignancy once service personnel records verify the location and date criteria alongside a confirmed medical diagnosis. Information on service location criteria and other covered health conditions appears on the presumptive conditions page.

The Camp Lejeune water contamination list comprises eight presumptive conditions:

A separate legal standard applies to tactical herbicide exposure. Kidney cancer is not on the VA list of Agent Orange presumptive conditions under 38 CFR § 3.309(e). Veterans exposed to herbicides in Vietnam, Thailand, or other designated locations must establish direct service connection by showing an in-service event and securing a formal medical opinion linking the condition to service, as outlined in the nexus letter guide. Official agency information on contaminated water claims is published on the VA Camp Lejeune water contamination page.

Kidney Cancer VA Rating Criteria Under Diagnostic Code 7528

Diagnostic Code 7528 rates malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system at 100 percent during active disease and throughout qualifying antineoplastic treatment. The rating schedule in 38 CFR § 4.115b assigns DC 7528 to malignant tumors of the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, and related genitourinary organs. This regulatory framework matches the structure used for a bladder cancer VA rating, as well as the active treatment protections applied in a melanoma skin cancer rating.

Qualifying antineoplastic treatment includes therapeutic surgery such as a radical or partial nephrectomy, external beam radiation therapy, and systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy. While these active interventions continue, the VA assigns a temporary 100 percent disability rating to reflect the physical effects of ongoing cancer therapy.

This temporary 100 percent evaluation does not end immediately when a surgical procedure concludes or chemotherapy ends. Federal regulations mandate that the 100 percent evaluation continues until the VA conducts a mandatory medical examination scheduled six months after the cessation of all antineoplastic treatment. If medical records or pathology reports demonstrate an active recurrence or metastatic spread at that six-month examination, the 100 percent evaluation continues. If clinical findings confirm that the malignancy has been eradicated or entered remission, the VA discontinues DC 7528 and rates any documented functional residuals.

Rating Residual Impairment for a Kidney Cancer VA Rating Under 38 CFR 4.115a

Post-treatment disability ratings for kidney cancer are assigned based on documented renal or voiding impairment under 38 CFR 4.115a. When a veteran enters remission following cancer therapy, the VA ceases the active neoplasm evaluation and determines ratings based on permanent organ damage. Under 38 CFR § 4.115a, the rating adjudicator must evaluate both renal dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, assigning the evaluation that yields the higher monthly payment. Both categories cannot be combined for the same organ impairment if symptoms overlap, but the veteran is entitled to whichever schedule produces the higher percentage. Claimants can assess how these percentages affect combined compensation using the VA disability rating calculator.

Renal Dysfunction Rating Schedule

Renal dysfunction ratings under 38 CFR 4.115a measure loss of kidney filtration using glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or the clinical requirement for dialysis. Surgical removal of a diseased kidney or tissue damage from nephrotoxic medications frequently impairs filtration in the remaining renal parenchyma. The rating schedule establishes four distinct compensable tiers based on documented laboratory testing:

A veteran who underwent a complete nephrectomy but maintains normal kidney function with a GFR at or above 60 mL/min/1.73 m² will not qualify for a compensable renal dysfunction percentage on filtration metrics alone. In those instances, adjudicators examine whether secondary urinary or surgical complications support an alternate rating.

Voiding Dysfunction Rating Schedule

Voiding dysfunction ratings evaluate urinary leakage, frequency, or incontinence requiring appliances or absorbent pads under 38 CFR 4.115a. Although renal filtration is the most frequent residual following kidney surgery, surgical nerve disturbance or collateral damage to the ureters can produce persistent urinary incontinence or leakage. When voiding dysfunction produces a higher rating than renal dysfunction, the VA rates the condition under the following criteria:

Medical records must state the daily pad change frequency, because rating adjudicators rely on documented daily counts rather than general statements of incontinence.

Due Process Protections and Proposed Rating Reductions

The VA cannot reduce a temporary 100 percent cancer rating without first issuing a formal notice of proposed reduction under 38 CFR 3.105(e). Under 38 CFR § 3.105(e), the regional office must provide written notice detailing the proposed reduction in rating and explain the medical evidence supporting the lower evaluation.

This procedural safeguard gives the veteran 60 days to submit supplemental medical evidence demonstrating why the reduction should not occur. Within the first 30 days of receiving the notice, the veteran also has the statutory right to request a formal pre-determination hearing. If the veteran requests a hearing within that 30-day window, the VA cannot execute the rating reduction until the hearing takes place and a formal decision is issued. If a reduction is ultimately finalized, the effective date cannot take effect until the last day of the month following a 60-day notification period after the final decision.

Distinguishing VA Disability Claims from Camp Lejeune Justice Act Tort Claims

A VA disability compensation claim for kidney cancer is an administrative benefit separate from a civil tort claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted by Congress as part of the broader PACT Act framework, discussed further in the PACT Act overview. The two programs operate under distinct legal structures:

Pursuing an administrative tort claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act does not terminate or reduce monthly VA disability compensation. A veteran can file a VA disability claim under 38 CFR § 3.309(f) while simultaneously pursuing an administrative tort claim through the Department of the Navy. The two recovery paths are evaluated independently and do not determine each other's outcome.

Evidence Needed for Service Connection and Residual Evaluation

Successfully establishing a kidney cancer claim requires documented service verification and contemporaneous medical laboratory findings. Claimants must provide a copy of their DD Form 214 or official personnel records showing assignment to Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. The military personnel file must confirm at least 30 aggregate days of presence at the installation.

Medical records should encompass:

If the claim is granted, compensation effective dates trace back to the date of original claim filing or intent to file, as covered in the guide to VA disability back pay. Veterans preparing to file a kidney cancer va rating claim should gather their DD Form 214 and renal function lab reports showing GFR measurements before submitting an intent to file online or through an accredited Veterans Service Officer.

This page is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. Rank and Pay is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rating criteria are summarized from 38 CFR Part 4; for your specific claim, consult the VA, an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO), or an accredited attorney.