Digestive System§ 4.114Updated
Rating criteria

VA Diagnostic Code 7319Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Rated from 10% to 30% under § 4.114. Here is what the VA requires at each level.

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  1. 30%

    Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension

  2. 20%

    Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension

  3. 10%

    Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension

From the schedule

Notes on this code

These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.

  • Note: This diagnostic code may include functional digestive disorders (see § 3.317 of this chapter), such as dyspepsia, functional bloating and constipation, and diarrhea. Evaluate other symptoms of a functional digestive disorder not encompassed by this diagnostic code under the appropriate diagnostic code, to include gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome (DC 7356), following the general principles of § 4.14 and this section.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 7319)

Understanding IBS Under the VA Rating Schedule

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive condition rated by the VA under Diagnostic Code 7319, part of the Digestive System rating criteria found in 38 CFR § 4.114.

The VA evaluates IBS based on how often you experience abdominal pain connected to bowel movements and the presence of related digestive symptoms. Under this diagnostic code, the VA may also consider certain functional digestive disorders — such as dyspepsia, functional bloating and constipation, and diarrhea.

How the VA Rates IBS

The VA assigns one of three rating levels for IBS. Each level looks at how frequently abdominal pain related to defecation occurs over the previous three months, along with the presence of two or more of the following symptoms:

  1. Change in stool frequency
  2. Change in stool form
  3. Altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency)
  4. Mucorrhea (mucus in the stool)
  5. Abdominal bloating
  6. Subjective distension

Rating Levels

RatingWhat the VA Looks For
30%Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months, plus two or more of the six listed symptoms.
20%Abdominal pain related to defecation at least three days per month during the previous three months, plus two or more of the six listed symptoms.
10%Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months, plus two or more of the six listed symptoms.

What the VA Considers

When rating IBS under Diagnostic Code 7319, the VA focuses on two main factors:

  • Frequency of abdominal pain related to defecation over the previous three months, and
  • The presence of two or more associated digestive symptoms from the list above.

The higher the frequency of abdominal pain related to defecation, the higher the potential rating level.

Important note on related conditions: This diagnostic code may include functional digestive disorders (see § 3.317), such as dyspepsia, functional bloating and constipation, and diarrhea. Other symptoms of a functional digestive disorder not covered by this diagnostic code are evaluated under the appropriate diagnostic code — including gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome (DC 7356) — following the general principles of § 4.14 and this section.

This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 7319 (§ 4.114). It is provided for general educational purposes and describes the rating criteria only.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.114, diagnostic code 7319. The official version is the one that governs your rating.

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What next

How to claim this

Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.

  1. Find your level in the stack

    Read each rung against what your medical records already say. The level your records document today is the one the VA can support today.

  2. Name the gap

    Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.

  3. Claim it by code

    File under diagnostic code 7319 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Digestive System codes may cover your secondary conditions.

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