Digestive System§ 4.114Updated
Rating criteria

VA Diagnostic Code 7327Diverticulitis and diverticulosis

Rated from 0% to 30% under § 4.114. Here is what the VA requires at each level.

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What each rating requires

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  1. 30%

    Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells) one or more times in the past 12 months; and with at least one of the following complications: (1) hemorrhage, (2) obstruction, (3) abscess, (4) peritonitis, or (5) perforation

  2. 20%

    Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells) one or more times in the past 12 months; and without associated (1) hemorrhage, (2) obstruction, (3) abscess, (4) peritonitis, or (5) perforation

  3. 0%

    Asymptomatic; or a symptomatic diverticulitis or diverticulosis that is managed by diet and medication

From the schedule

Notes on this code

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

  • Note: For colectomy or colostomy, use DC 7327 or DC 7329 (Intestine, large, resection of), whichever results in a higher evaluation.

Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis (VA Diagnostic Code 7327)

Understanding how the VA rates diverticular disease under 38 CFR § 4.114.

What This Condition Is

Diverticulitis and diverticulosis are conditions of the digestive system. The VA evaluates them under Diagnostic Code 7327, part of the schedule of ratings for the digestive system in § 4.114.

Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following ratings based on how the condition presents:

30%

Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells) one or more times in the past 12 months; and with at least one of the following complications:

  1. Hemorrhage
  2. Obstruction
  3. Abscess
  4. Peritonitis
  5. Perforation

20%

Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells) one or more times in the past 12 months; and without associated hemorrhage, obstruction, abscess, peritonitis, or perforation.

0%

Asymptomatic; or symptomatic diverticulitis or diverticulosis that is managed by diet and medication.

What the VA Looks For

When rating diverticular disease under DC 7327, the VA considers:

  • Hospitalizations for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells) within the past 12 months.
  • Whether complications are present, specifically hemorrhage, obstruction, abscess, peritonitis, or perforation.
  • How the condition is managed — for example, whether it is asymptomatic or controlled through diet and medication.

Important Note

  • For colectomy or colostomy, the VA uses DC 7327 or DC 7329 (Intestine, large, resection of), whichever results in a higher evaluation.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.114, diagnostic code 7327. 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 7327 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Digestive System codes may cover your secondary conditions.

Find out which rating your evidence supports.

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