The VA rates chronic kidney disease using your glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a lab value that measures how well your kidneys filter blood. Under 38 CFR 4.115a, ratings run from 0% to 100% in four steps: 30% for a GFR of 45 to 59, 60% for a GFR of 30 to 44, 80% for a GFR of 15 to 29, and 100% for a GFR under 15, for anyone on regular dialysis, or for kidney transplant recipients. At 100%, a single veteran with no dependents receives $3,938.58 per month in 2026.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common among veterans exposed to burn pits, contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, or Agent Orange, and it also develops as a secondary condition from service-connected diabetes or hypertension. Whether you're filing a new claim or checking if your current rating is too low, here's exactly how the VA rating schedule works.
How the VA Rates Chronic Kidney Disease
The VA overhauled its genitourinary rating schedule effective November 14, 2021, replacing subjective language like "slight" or "marked" symptoms with objective lab thresholds. Chronic kidney disease is rated under Diagnostic Code 7541 (or the code tied to the underlying disease process), which points to the renal dysfunction criteria in 38 CFR 4.115a. The rating depends on your GFR result, which must be documented for at least 3 consecutive months during the past 12 months.
VA Rating Percentages for Chronic Kidney Disease
| VA Rating | GFR Range (mL/min/1.73 m²) | Other Qualifying Criteria |
|---|
| 100% | Less than 15 | Regular dialysis, or eligible kidney transplant recipient |
| 80% | 15 to 29 | Sustained for 3+ consecutive months in the past year |
| 60% | 30 to 44 | Sustained for 3+ consecutive months in the past year |
| 30% | 45 to 59 | Sustained for 3+ consecutive months in the past year |
| 0% | 60 to 89 | Requires albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) of 30 mg/g or higher, recurrent casts, or a structural kidney abnormality documented for 3+ months |
If your GFR fluctuates across different lab draws, the VA generally rates based on the most representative sustained value over that 12 month window, not a single best or worst reading.
Automatic 100% Ratings
Two situations bypass the GFR chart entirely and result in an automatic 100% rating:
- Regular routine dialysis. Any veteran on a dialysis schedule, whether hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, is rated 100% regardless of GFR.
- Kidney transplant. Veterans who receive a kidney transplant are rated 100% for at least one year following hospital discharge. After that year, the VA re-evaluates based on residual function, but the rating cannot drop below 30% for life, even if your transplanted kidney functions normally.
2026 Monthly VA Disability Pay for Kidney Disease
VA compensation rates increased 2.8% for 2026 to match the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. These are the monthly amounts for a single veteran with no dependents:
| VA Rating | Monthly Payment (2026) |
|---|
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 0% | $0 (but you keep VA healthcare priority and the rating is on record) |
Payments increase if you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents. A 0% rating doesn't pay monthly compensation, but it establishes service connection, which matters if your kidney function declines later and you need to request an increase.
Getting Service Connection for Chronic Kidney Disease
Before the VA can rate your kidney disease, you need service connection. There are three main paths.
1. Direct Service Connection
You need medical evidence connecting your CKD to an event, injury, or exposure during active duty. Common direct claims include:
- Camp Lejeune water contamination (1953 to 1987)
- Burn pit exposure covered under the PACT Act
- Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, Korea, or other qualifying locations
- A documented in-service kidney injury or infection
2. Secondary Service Connection
This is the most common path for CKD claims. If you already have a service-connected condition like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or a chronic infection, and your doctor can link your kidney disease to that condition, the VA can grant secondary service connection. You'll need:
- A current diagnosis of chronic kidney disease
- Proof your hypertension, diabetes, or other condition is already service-connected
- A nexus letter from a physician stating it is "at least as likely as not" (50% probability or greater) that your service-connected condition caused or aggravated your kidney disease
3. Presumptive Service Connection
Under the PACT Act, certain toxic exposures create a presumption of service connection for related conditions without requiring you to prove causation directly. If you served in a location with recognized burn pit exposure or Agent Orange exposure, check whether your specific kidney condition qualifies for presumptive status, since VA policy on presumptive conditions has continued to expand.
How to File a VA Claim for Kidney Disease
- Gather medical evidence. You need lab results showing GFR values over at least a 3 month period, a formal CKD diagnosis, and any records showing dialysis or transplant status if applicable.
- Get a nexus letter if filing secondary. Ask your nephrologist or primary care physician to document the connection between your kidney disease and your service-connected condition.
- File your claim. Submit VA Form 21-526EZ through VA.gov, by mail, or with help from an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO).
- Attend your Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. The VA examiner will review your lab work and may order additional testing to confirm your current GFR.
- Review your rating decision. If your rating seems too low based on your actual GFR or dialysis status, you can file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence or request a Higher-Level Review.
When Chronic Kidney Disease Qualifies for TDIU
If your kidney disease and any other service-connected conditions prevent you from holding steady, gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which pays at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is lower. To qualify, you generally need one condition rated at 60% or higher, or two or more conditions combining to 70% or higher with at least one rated 40% or higher. Veterans on dialysis or with advanced CKD who can no longer work full time should discuss TDIU with a VSO, since fatigue, frequent medical appointments, and dietary restrictions from advanced kidney disease often make full-time work unrealistic even before GFR drops to the 100% threshold.
Combining Kidney Disease With Other VA Ratings
Chronic kidney disease rarely shows up alone. It's frequently combined with hypertension, diabetic complications, anemia, or peripheral neuropathy in a veteran's overall disability picture. The VA does not add these ratings together in simple math. Instead, it uses the VA combined ratings table, which accounts for the fact that a person can't be more than 100% disabled overall. If you're unsure how your kidney rating interacts with your other conditions, a benefits calculator can help you estimate your combined rating and monthly payment.
While VA disability is a separate system from civilian benefits, many veterans with reduced income due to CKD or dialysis also qualify for programs like Medicaid, SNAP, or ACA marketplace subsidies. You can check what else you might qualify for with a free eligibility screening at /screener.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GFR number gives you 100% VA disability for kidney disease?
A GFR under 15 mL/min/1.73 m², sustained for at least 3 consecutive months in the past 12 months, results in a 100% rating. Regular dialysis or kidney transplant status also results in an automatic 100% rating regardless of GFR.
Can you get VA disability for kidney disease caused by high blood pressure?
Yes. If your hypertension is already service-connected and a physician documents that it's at least as likely as not the cause of your chronic kidney disease, you can file for secondary service connection. This requires a nexus letter and supporting lab evidence showing the progression of both conditions.
Does the VA automatically rate dialysis patients at 100%?
Yes. Any veteran on regular routine dialysis, whether hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, receives an automatic 100% rating under the current rating schedule, regardless of what their GFR measures.
How long does a kidney transplant recipient keep a 100% VA rating?
The VA rates kidney transplant recipients at 100% for at least one year after hospital discharge. After that period, the VA re-evaluates based on residual kidney function, but the rating can never drop below 30% for the rest of the veteran's life.
Can chronic kidney disease qualify for VA unemployability benefits?
Yes. If CKD and any other service-connected conditions prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for TDIU, which pays at the 100% compensation rate even if your combined schedular rating is lower.
What lab tests does the VA use to rate kidney disease?
The VA primarily uses glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to determine the rating percentage. For the 0% rating tier, the VA also considers albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), recurrent urinary casts, and structural kidney abnormalities.
Can I get a higher VA rating if my kidney disease gets worse?
Yes. If your GFR drops into a lower range or you begin dialysis, you can file a claim for an increased rating with updated medical evidence showing your current lab values and treatment status.
