38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.115b

Cystic diseases of the kidneys — VA Diagnostic Code 7533

Genitourinary

Diagnostic code

7533

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38 CFR § 4.115b lists Diagnostic Code 7533 as “Cystic diseases of the kidneys:”. The criteria cell says “Rate as renal dysfunction.” The rating cell is empty. A note lists examples. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes “Cystic diseases of the kidneys.” The catalog display name uses those words. The catalog slug is dc-7533-cystic-diseases-of-the-kidneys.

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was last amended on 2026-08-27. On 2026-10-05 the titles list reports up to date as of 2026-10-02. Section 4.115b source note: 59 FR 2527, Jan. 18, 1994; 59 FR 14567, Mar. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 46339, Sept. 8, 1994; 86 FR 54086, Sept. 30, 2021. Section 4.115a source note: 59 FR 2527, Jan. 18, 1994; 59 FR 10676, Mar. 7, 1994; 86 FR 54085, Sept. 30, 2021.

The rating criteria at each level

7533 Cystic diseases of the kidneys

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Rate as renal dysfunction.

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
—	Rate as renal dysfunction.

Renal dysfunction — § 4.115a, the area this row names

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 80

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
100	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
80	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
60	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
30	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
0	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

Note: GFR, estimated GFR (eGFR), and creatinine-based approximations of GFR will be accepted for evaluation purposes under this section when determined to be appropriate and calculated by a medical professional.

The 2 in m² is a superscript in the regulation. The five renal percentage cells do not end with a period.

Note: Cystic diseases of the kidneys include, but are not limited to, polycystic disease, uremic medullary cystic disease, medullary sponge kidney, and similar conditions such as Alport's syndrome, cystinosis, primary oxalosis, and Fabry's disease.

The schedule title ends with a colon. Appendix B ends the same words with a period. The note ends with “Fabry's disease.”

38 CFR § 4.115a says: “Where diagnostic codes refer the decision maker to these specific areas of dysfunction, only the predominant area of dysfunction shall be considered for rating purposes.” The same paragraph also says distinct disabilities may be evaluated separately under that section, pursuant to § 4.14, if the symptoms do not overlap. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

The 0 percent renal line names “structural kidney abnormalities (cystic, obstructive, or glomerular).” The word “cystic” on that line is part of the renal-dysfunction cell. It is not a separate percentage printed on DC 7533. 38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided, and that the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses is to be avoided.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “cystic,” “polycystic,” “Alport,” “Fabry,” or “7533.” Paragraph (a) lists “Calculi of the kidney, bladder, or gallbladder.” That item does not assign DC 7533. This page does not add DC 7533 to a presumptive row.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7533, and 38 CFR § 4.115a, renal dysfunction, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01. The § 4.115b source note prints 59 FR 2527, Jan. 18, 1994; 59 FR 14567, Mar. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 46339, Sept. 8, 1994; 86 FR 54086, Sept. 30, 2021. The § 4.115a source note prints 59 FR 2527, Jan. 18, 1994; 59 FR 10676, Mar. 7, 1994; 86 FR 54085, Sept. 30, 2021.

What the words mean in your records

Colon in the table, period in the index

The schedule title is “Cystic diseases of the kidneys:”. Appendix B is “Cystic diseases of the kidneys.”

The note’s examples are not a closed list

The note says the diseases “include, but are not limited to,” polycystic disease, uremic medullary cystic disease, medullary sponge kidney, and similar conditions such as Alport's syndrome, cystinosis, primary oxalosis, and Fabry's disease.

Cystic on the 0 percent renal line

That word is inside “structural kidney abnormalities (cystic, obstructive, or glomerular)” on the renal-dysfunction 0 percent cell. DC 7533 does not print 0 itself.

Evidence that speaks to each level

The DC 7533 row

What the rater needs to see. The diagnosis placed on this code, and then the renal-dysfunction line that matches the findings.

Where that usually lives. The nephrology record and the GFR, dialysis, or transplant-eligibility finding the line names.

What the note names

What the rater needs to see. The note’s examples are polycystic disease, uremic medullary cystic disease, medullary sponge kidney, Alport's syndrome, cystinosis, primary oxalosis, and Fabry's disease. The note says the code is not limited to those examples.

Where that usually lives. The diagnosis in the record, read against that note.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
The DC 7533 row	The diagnosis placed on this code, and then the renal-dysfunction line that matches the findings.	The nephrology record and the GFR, dialysis, or transplant-eligibility finding the line names.
What the note names	The note’s examples are polycystic disease, uremic medullary cystic disease, medullary sponge kidney, Alport's syndrome, cystinosis, primary oxalosis, and Fabry's disease. The note says the code is not limited to those examples.	The diagnosis in the record, read against that note.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Kidney Conditions” under Genitourinary. The file is Kidney Conditions.

The exam form

This code says to rate as renal dysfunction. This page does not say the kidney form replaces the § 4.115a lines.

Related codes and how they interact

The percentages live under renal dysfunction

DC 7530 says only “Rate as renal dysfunction.” DC 7531 is 100 following transplant surgery, and thereafter rates residuals as renal dysfunction with a minimum rating of 30. That minimum is a DC 7531 sentence. It is not printed on DC 7533.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not contain “cystic,” “7533,” or the examples in the DC 7533 note. “Calculi of the kidney, bladder, or gallbladder” is a different chronic-disease item. This page does not add DC 7533 to a presumptive row.

A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.

Short answers

How does VA rate cystic diseases of the kidneys under DC 7533?

Under 38 CFR § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7533 says to rate cystic diseases of the kidneys as renal dysfunction. Those § 4.115a lines are 100, 80, 60, 30, and 0. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Is polycystic disease a different diagnostic code on this table?

The DC 7533 note names polycystic disease as one cystic disease of the kidneys. DC 7533 does not print a separate percentage for that example. Education only.

FAQ

What percentage does DC 7533 print?

None. The cell says “Rate as renal dysfunction.” The renal-dysfunction lines in § 4.115a are 100, 80, 60, 30, and 0. Education only.

Which cystic diseases does the note name?

Polycystic disease, uremic medullary cystic disease, medullary sponge kidney, and similar conditions such as Alport's syndrome, cystinosis, primary oxalosis, and Fabry's disease. The note says the list is not limited to those examples.

Does the 0 percent renal line use the word cystic?

Yes. It includes structural kidney abnormalities that are cystic, obstructive, or glomerular, together with a GFR from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m² for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months. That cell is on the renal-dysfunction table, not a percentage printed beside DC 7533.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7533 and which renal-dysfunction line was used.
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other genitourinary codes are on the genitourinary diagnostic-code index. The category page is genitourinary conditions.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Genitourinary, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Genitourinary codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7533 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.