38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.115b

Varicocele/Hydrocele — VA Diagnostic Code 7543

Genitourinary

Diagnostic code

7543

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38 CFR § 4.115b rates varicocele and hydrocele under Diagnostic Code 7543, in the genitourinary diagnoses. The schedule lists one level, 0 percent. A footnote tells the rater to review special monthly compensation under § 3.350. Zero percent means service-connected but noncompensable under this code.

Reviewed 2026-09-28. Diffed against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-09-24 on 2026-09-28. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-09-24; latest amended on 2026-08-27.

The rating criteria at each level

Diagnostic Code 7543

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). 7543 Varicocele/Hydrocele

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
0	7543 Varicocele/Hydrocele

Footnote 1: Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter.

Note: When evaluating any claim involving loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs, refer to § 3.350 of this chapter to determine whether the veteran may be entitled to special monthly compensation. Footnotes in the schedule indicate conditions which potentially establish entitlement to special monthly compensation; however, there are other conditions in this section which under certain circumstances also establish entitlement to special monthly compensation.

The superscript 1 on the 0 percent line points at footnote 1. Zero percent under this code means a service-connected evaluation that is noncompensable. The footnote is a review instruction. It is not a second percentage.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.115b (Ratings of the genitourinary system—diagnoses), Diagnostic Code 7543, eCFR, up to date as of 2026-09-24.

What the words mean in your records

Review for special monthly compensation

Footnote 1 says to review 38 CFR § 3.350 (Special monthly compensation ratings). Section 3.350(a) includes loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs. The footnote orders a review. It does not award compensation by itself. See the SMC article. No dollar amount is stated here.

One line, 0 percent

The schedule prints a single line, “7543 Varicocele/Hydrocele,” at 0 percent. It does not print 10, 20, 30, or 100 percent under this code. A decision that grants service connection and assigns 0 percent under DC 7543 is using the only level the code lists.

Evidence that speaks to each level

0 percent under DC 7543

What the rater needs to see. A diagnosis of varicocele or hydrocele, and evidence tying it to service if service connection is the question. The only level is the noncompensable line.

Where that usually lives. Urology or imaging that states the diagnosis, and service records of onset or treatment.

The SMC review in footnote 1

What the rater needs to see. If loss or loss of use of a creative organ is claimed, the records a clinician uses to describe testicular function. This page does not define loss of use.

Where that usually lives. Urology notes the clinician relies on. Lay evidence can cover onset and treatment, not loss of use.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
0 percent under DC 7543	A diagnosis of varicocele or hydrocele, and evidence tying it to service if service connection is the question. The only level is the noncompensable line.	Urology or imaging that states the diagnosis, and service records of onset or treatment.
The SMC review in footnote 1	If loss or loss of use of a creative organ is claimed, the records a clinician uses to describe testicular function. This page does not define loss of use.	Urology notes the clinician relies on. Lay evidence can cover onset and treatment, not loss of use.

Lay evidence can place the onset, the symptoms, and the treatment in time. Whether loss of use exists is a clinical question for the examiner and the rater under § 3.350, not a conclusion this page can draw.

The exam form

VA’s public DBQ list names “Male Reproductive Organ Conditions (Including Prostate Cancer)” under Genitourinary. It is a public form, so a private clinician can complete it. It is not on the list of DBQs withheld from public use. This site does not yet have a genitourinary DBQ guide; the index is DBQ guides.

The public form lists “Varicocele/Hydrocele” in Section 1, with a date of diagnosis. Section 7 is the physical exam, including the testes. Section 10 is diagnostic testing. Section 11 is functional impact. This page does not publish a form number.

Related codes and how they interact

Other genitourinary codes, not substitutes for DC 7543

These codes rate different conditions. Nothing in § 4.115b converts DC 7543 into them.

DC 7523, “Testis, atrophy complete,” lists “Both—20” and “One—0,” each with footnote 1.

DC 7524, “Testis, removal,” lists both at 30 percent and one at 0 percent, each with footnote 1, then a note for a specific one-testis fact pattern. Read that note with the code.

DC 7525 is “Prostatitis, urethritis, epididymitis, orchitis (unilateral or bilateral), chronic only,” and says “Rate as urinary tract infection.” Tubercular infections point to §§ 4.88b or 4.89.

DC 7522 is “Erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity,” at 0 percent with footnote 1. The public page is the erectile dysfunction guide. A related explainer is SMC-K and erectile dysfunction.

DC 7529 is “Benign neoplasms of the genitourinary system,” and says “Rate as voiding dysfunction or renal dysfunction, whichever is predominant.”

38 CFR § 4.14 (Avoidance of pyramiding) says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided. The category page is genitourinary conditions.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

[Reg: § 4.115b footnote 1 and the section note; § 3.350.] The footnote and the section note direct a review of special monthly compensation. Section 3.350(a) includes loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs among the 38 U.S.C. 1114(k) bases. The review is not an automatic award.

[VA practice: 86 FR 54081, September 30, 2021.] The final rule did not add a compensable level under DC 7543. VA wrote that if pain necessitates surgery, a rating under an appropriate code may be available for post-surgery residuals. That is preamble, not a table level, and this page names no target code.

No presumptive condition for varicocele or hydrocele is named in 38 CFR § 3.309. No secondary condition is written into DC 7543. Any secondary claim needs a medical opinion on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for hydrocele or varicocele?

VA rates varicocele and hydrocele under Diagnostic Code 7543 in 38 CFR § 4.115b. The schedule lists a single noncompensable level, 0 percent, with a footnote: “Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter.” A service-connected varicocele or hydrocele is rated 0 percent under this code, and the rater is directed to check the SMC rules separately. The footnote is a review instruction, not an automatic award. Education only; not legal advice.

Does the SMC footnote mean I get special monthly compensation?

No. Footnote 1 under DC 7543 tells the rater to review eligibility under 38 CFR § 3.350. Section 3.350(a) covers anatomical loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs, among other listed losses. The § 4.115b note says footnotes mark conditions which potentially establish entitlement. Whether that standard is met depends on the medical facts. Ask an accredited representative to review the records. This page does not state a dollar amount.

FAQ

What is the VA rating for varicocele or hydrocele?

VA rates varicocele and hydrocele under Diagnostic Code 7543 in 38 CFR § 4.115b. The schedule lists one level, 0 percent, with footnote 1: “Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter.” A grant under this code is service-connected and noncompensable. The footnote is a review instruction, not another percentage. Education only.

Can I get more than 0 percent under DC 7543?

Not under this code. Section 4.115b lists only 0 percent for DC 7543. In the September 30, 2021 final rule, VA declined to add a compensable level. VA said that if pain necessitates surgery, post-surgery residuals may be rated under an appropriate code, and that loss of use of a creative organ is reviewed under § 3.350(a). This page does not name that other code.

Does the SMC footnote mean I receive special monthly compensation?

No. Footnote 1 tells the rater to review 38 CFR § 3.350. Section 3.350(a) includes anatomical loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs among the bases for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k). The § 4.115b note says footnotes mark conditions which potentially establish entitlement. “Potentially” and “review” are the regulation’s words. An accredited representative can read the records.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7543 and for any separate SMC discussion under § 3.350. The 0 percent line and footnote 1 are the whole rating table for this code.
Organize the diagnosis, service records, and any clinician findings on testicular function before an exam. C&P prep (Founding Pass) is the worksheet. An accredited representative is listed at find a VSO.
The body-system list is the genitourinary diagnostic-code index. Every code starts from the diagnostic code index.

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 7543 • 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.