Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder rated under DC 7204 as esophageal stricture (DC 7203), from 0 to 80 percent.
Secondary achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder rated under DC 7204 as esophageal stricture (DC 7203), from 0 to 80 percent.
Anal fistula (fistula in ano) is rated under DC 7335 at 10, 20, 40, or 60 percent based on the number of fistulas and the presence of abscesses, drainage, and pain.
Autoimmune hepatitis (chronic liver disease without cirrhosis, DC 7345) is rated at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on symptoms, weight loss, and the treatment required.
Barrett's esophagus is rated under DC 7207. Without a stricture it is 10 percent for low-grade dysplasia or 30 percent for high-grade dysplasia; if a stricture develops it is rated as esophageal stricture (DC 7203) up to 80 percent.
Impairment of rectal and anal sphincter control is rated under diagnostic code 7332 from 0 to 100 percent. The 2024 criteria track two paths: how well a physician prescribed bowel program controls the problem, or how often incontinence requires pad changes, from once every six months at 10 percent up to two or more pad changes per day at 100 percent.
Celiac disease is rated under DC 7355 at 30, 50, or 80 percent based on malabsorption, nutritional deficiencies, and how much daily activity is affected.
Chronic cholecystitis is rated under diagnostic code 7314 at 0, 10, or 30 percent based on symptom severity.
Chronic complications of surgery on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, or small intestine, including dumping syndrome and postgastrectomy syndrome, are rated under diagnostic code 7303 (new in the May 2024 schedule): 10 percent for nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing treatment, 30 percent for two or more listed symptoms, 50 percent for daily vomiting, six or more watery stools a day, or meal induced near fainting, and 80 percent when total parenteral nutrition or tube feeding is required for over 30 consecutive days in six months.
Chronic dysentery is presumptive for former prisoners of war. Under the 2024 digestive schedule its residuals are rated by the condition they most resemble, usually irritable bowel syndrome (diagnostic code 7319, 10 to 30 percent) or inflammatory bowel disease (diagnostic code 7326, 10 to 100 percent), whichever matches the disability picture.
Chronic gastritis is rated under 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7307, at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on how often you have episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, whether daily medication is needed, and whether there is bleeding or anemia.
Chronic pancreatitis is rated under DC 7347 at 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the frequency of pain episodes, hospitalizations, and any maldigestion requiring enzyme supplementation.
Cirrhosis is rated under DC 7312 at 0, 10, 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and complications such as ascites, encephalopathy, or variceal hemorrhage.
Large-intestine resection (DC 7329) is rated at 10 to 100 percent based on the extent of colectomy, any permanent ostomy, and high-output or dehydration episodes.
Since May 19, 2024, Crohn's disease has its own diagnostic code, 7326, rated 10, 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the treatment tier required, daily diarrhea episodes, signs of systemic toxicity, and hospitalizations. VA requires the diagnosis to be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies, and after colectomy the rating can come from code 7326 or 7329, whichever is higher.
Diverticulitis and diverticulosis are rated under DC 7327 at 0, 20, or 30 percent based on hospitalization for attacks and any complications.
Eosinophilic esophagitis is rated under DC 7203 (esophageal stricture) from 0 to 80 percent based on dysphagia and the treatment required.
Esophageal stricture is rated under DC 7203 from 0 to 80 percent based on dysphagia, the dilatation or stent treatment required, and any aspiration, undernutrition, or weight loss.
Fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, rated as chronic liver disease without cirrhosis, DC 7345) is rated at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on symptoms, weight loss, and the treatment required.
GERD is rated under DC 7206 (rated as esophageal stricture) from 0 to 80 percent based on dysphagia, the treatment required, and any aspiration, undernutrition, or weight loss.
Gastroparesis is rated under DC 7356 (gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome) at 10, 30, 50, or 80 percent based on symptoms and the level of nutritional support required.
Hemorrhoids are rated under DC 7336 at 10 or 20 percent based on prolapse, thrombosis episodes, and any persistent bleeding with anemia.
Hepatitis B (chronic liver disease without cirrhosis, DC 7345) is rated at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on symptoms, weight loss, and the treatment required.
Hepatitis C (DC 7354) is rated under the chronic liver disease criteria (DC 7345) at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on symptoms, weight loss, and the treatment required.
Hiatal hernia is rated under DC 7346 (rated as esophageal stricture, DC 7203) from 0 to 80 percent based on dysphagia and the treatment required.
Irritable bowel syndrome is rated under DC 7319 at 10, 20, or 30 percent based on how often abdominal pain occurs with at least two associated bowel symptoms.
Since May 19, 2024, an ileostomy or colostomy is rated under diagnostic code 7329 (resection of the large intestine) from 10 to 100 percent based on how much colon was removed, whether the ostomy is permanent, and whether high output syndrome and dehydration episodes are documented.
Since the May 2024 digestive update, inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, and incisional hernias all share diagnostic code 7338, rated 0 to 100 percent based on whether the hernia is irreparable, its size, and pain with bending, daily activities, walking, or stairs. A repaired or repairable hernia without symptoms rates 0 percent, and a second compensable inguinal hernia adds 10 percent to the rating for the worse side.
Liver abscess is rated under diagnostic code 7350 (2024 schedule) at 100 percent for six months from the date of diagnosis, followed by a mandatory VA examination, after which chronic residuals are rated under the appropriate body system. The code covers bacterial, amebic, fungal, and other causes.
A liver transplant is rated under diagnostic code 7351 at 100 percent for an indefinite period from the date of hospital admission for the surgery. One year after discharge, a mandatory VA examination sets the ongoing rating, with a floor of 30 percent. A veteran who is eligible for and awaiting a transplant holds a minimum of 60 percent.
Peptic ulcer disease is rated under DC 7304 at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 100 percent based on the frequency of symptom episodes, anemia and hospitalization, and recent ulcer surgery.
Adhesions of the peritoneum from surgery, trauma, disease, or infection are rated under diagnostic code 7301: 10 percent for symptomatic adhesions with pain, nausea, or bowel changes; 30 percent when a medically directed diet is also required; 50 percent when recurrent obstruction requires hospitalization at least yearly; and 80 percent for persistent partial obstruction that is inoperable or requires total parenteral nutrition.
Pruritus ani is rated under diagnostic code 7337: 10 percent with bleeding or excoriation, 0 percent without. When the itching is a symptom of an underlying condition such as hemorrhoids, fistula, or a skin disease, the underlying condition is rated instead.
Prolapse of the rectum is rated under diagnostic code 7334: 10 percent for spontaneously reducible prolapse that is not repairable, 30 percent for manually reducible prolapse occurring only after bowel movements or exertion, 50 percent for manually reducible prolapse at other times, and 100 percent for persistent irreducible prolapse. After surgical repair, the 100 percent rating continues for two months before reexamination.
Resection of the small intestine, including short bowel syndrome, is rated under diagnostic code 7328: 20 percent for four or more episodes of diarrhea daily after resection, 40 percent when that diarrhea causes undernutrition and anemia requiring prescribed supplementation and continuous medication, 60 percent when intermittent total parenteral nutrition is also required, and 80 percent when TPN is the ongoing requirement.
Ulcerative colitis keeps diagnostic code 7323, but since May 19, 2024 it is rated using the inflammatory bowel disease criteria at diagnostic code 7326: 10, 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the treatment required, daily diarrhea episodes, signs of systemic toxicity, and hospitalizations. Diagnosis must be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies.
Ventral and incisional hernias are rated under diagnostic code 7338 (the consolidated 2024 hernia code) from 0 to 100 percent based on irreparability, size, and pain with bending, daily activities, walking, or stairs. The 60 and 100 percent tiers require a defect of 15 cm or larger that has been present for 12 months or more.
Symptomatic, marked visceroptosis (downward displacement of the abdominal organs) is rated under diagnostic code 7342 at 10 percent.