How the VA Rates Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The plain-English version of the 38 CFR Part 4, DC 7319 criteria a VA rater evaluates Irritable Bowel Syndrome against, with the 2026 monthly rate at each level. A reference to what the regulation describes — never a prediction of any rating.
Diagnostic code 7319
The rating levels
Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR Part 4, DC 7319 for readability. Monthly amounts are the 2026 rate (effective December 1, 2025) for a veteran with no dependents if this were the only rated condition — dependents add more, and multiple conditions combine under the VA’s own math.
0%
$0/month (0% is still service-connected)
Mild — disturbances of bowel function with occasional episodes of abdominal distress.
Examples from this level’s criteria
- Occasional abdominal distress
- Mild, infrequent bowel disturbance
10%
$180.42/month
Moderate — frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress.
Examples from this level’s criteria
- Frequent episodes of diarrhea or constipation
- Recurrent abdominal pain/cramping
- Bloating and urgency affecting routine
30%
$552.47/month
Severe — diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress. 30% is the maximum schedular rating under DC 7319.
Examples from this level’s criteria
- Diarrhea or alternating diarrhea/constipation
- More or less constant abdominal distress
- Frequent, urgent bowel movements disrupting work/activities
The listed symptoms are examples that appear in each level’s criteria — not a checklist that earns a percentage. Raters apply the criteria as a whole.
The evidence that matters most
A dated log of the episodes — days per month with pain tied to a bowel movement, and which of the six signs came with them — over three months; the levels are counted, not described
C&P exam tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- What wins this rating: a symptom record showing how frequent and constant the abdominal distress and bowel disturbance are — 'more or less constant' distress with a diarrhea/alternating pattern supports the 30% maximum.
- Keep a diary of episodes: frequency, urgency, accidents, and abdominal pain.
- Document any work or social impact from urgency and bathroom dependence.
Common mistakes on Irritable Bowel Syndrome claims
- Under-describing frequency — 'severe' requires near-constant distress, not occasional flares.
- Expecting more than 30% — that is the schedular maximum for IBS.
- Not separately claiming related GI diagnoses (GERD, etc.) where present.
Frequently asked questions
What diagnostic code does the VA use for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is rated under 38 CFR Part 4, DC 7319 — diagnostic code 7319.
What is the highest schedular VA rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
30% is the highest level in the rating schedule for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The criteria at that level describe: Severe — diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress. 30% is the maximum schedular rating under DC 7319.
How much does a 30% VA rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome pay in 2026?
$552.47 per month, tax-free, for a veteran with no dependents (rates effective December 1, 2025) — more with a spouse, children, or dependent parents. If you have other rated conditions, the VA combines ratings using its own math rather than adding them.
Can Irritable Bowel Syndrome be claimed as a secondary condition?
Yes — veterans commonly file Irritable Bowel Syndrome secondary to Anxiety Disorder under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310. What carries a secondary claim is a medical nexus opinion connecting it to the service-connected condition.
Build your Irritable Bowel Syndrome claim documentation
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Start your claim — freeEducational information about the rating schedule — not legal or medical advice, never a prediction or promise of any rating, and not affiliated with the VA.