VA Diagnostic Code 7301Peritoneum, adhesions of, due to surgery, trauma, disease, or infection:

Peritoneal Adhesions (VA Diagnostic Code 7301)

Understanding how the VA rates adhesions of the peritoneum caused by surgery, trauma, disease, or infection.

What This Condition Is

Peritoneal adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that can form inside the abdomen. Under VA Diagnostic Code 7301, these adhesions are evaluated when they develop due to surgery, trauma, a disease process, or infection.

This condition falls under the Digestive System and is rated according to § 4.114 of the VA rating schedule.

Depending on the severity and frequency of symptoms, the VA assigns one of several rating levels. Symptoms that may be considered include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, colic, constipation, and diarrhea.

Available Rating Levels

The VA uses the following rating levels for peritoneal adhesions under Diagnostic Code 7301:

80%

Persistent partial bowel obstruction that is either inoperable and refractory to treatment, or requires total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for obstructive symptoms.

50%

Symptomatic peritoneal adhesions — persisting or recurring after surgery, trauma, an inflammatory disease process (such as chronic cholecystitis or Crohn's disease), or infection, as determined by a healthcare provider — with all of the following:

• Clinical evidence of recurrent obstruction requiring hospitalization at least once a year; and
• Medically-directed dietary modification other than total parenteral nutrition (TPN); and
• At least one of: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, colic, constipation, or diarrhea.

30%

Symptomatic peritoneal adhesions — persisting or recurring after surgery, trauma, an inflammatory disease process (such as chronic cholecystitis or Crohn's disease), or infection, as determined by a healthcare provider — with:

• Medically-directed dietary modification other than total parenteral nutrition (TPN); and
• At least one of: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, colic, constipation, or diarrhea.

10%

Symptomatic peritoneal adhesions — persisting or recurring after surgery, trauma, an inflammatory disease process (such as chronic cholecystitis or Crohn's disease), or infection, as determined by a healthcare provider — with at least one of: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, colic, constipation, or diarrhea.

0%

History of peritoneal adhesions, currently asymptomatic.

What the VA Looks For

When rating peritoneal adhesions under Diagnostic Code 7301, the VA focuses on:

• The cause of the adhesions — whether they developed after surgery, trauma, an inflammatory disease process, or infection, as determined by a healthcare provider.
• Whether the condition is symptomatic or asymptomatic — a documented history without current symptoms is recognized at the 0% level.
• The presence of specific symptoms — abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, colic, constipation, or diarrhea.
• Whether dietary modification is medically directed — and whether that modification is something other than total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
• Evidence of recurrent obstruction — including hospitalization at least once a year at the higher symptomatic levels.
• The presence of bowel obstruction and its severity — including whether a persistent partial bowel obstruction is inoperable, refractory to treatment, or requires total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Because ratings depend on clinical findings and documentation, the records and evaluations from your healthcare providers play a central role in how this condition is assessed.