VA Diagnostic Code 7332Rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter control
Rated from 0% to 100% under § 4.114. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 100%
Complete loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is not responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per day, which requires changing a pad two or more times per day
- 60%
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is partially responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per week, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per week
- 30%
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per month, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per month
- 10%
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires medication or special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids at least once every six months, which requires wearing a pad at least once every six months
- 0%
History of loss of sphincter control, currently asymptomatic
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Complete or partial loss of sphincter control refers to the inability to retain or expel stool at an appropriate time and place.
Impairment of Sphincter Control (Rectum and Anus)
VA Diagnostic Code 7332 · 38 CFR § 4.114 · Digestive System
What This Condition Is
Impairment of sphincter control affects the muscles that let you retain or expel stool at an appropriate time and place. According to the VA's rating notes, complete or partial loss of sphincter control refers to the inability to control when and where bowel movements occur.
The VA rates this condition under Diagnostic Code 7332, which is part of the Digestive System rating schedule. Ratings range from 0% to 100% based on how severe the symptoms are and how well they respond to treatment.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns one of the following ratings for this condition:
100%
Complete loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is not responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per day, which requires changing a pad two or more times per day.
60%
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is partially responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per week, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per week.
30%
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per month, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per month.
10%
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires medication or special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids at least once every six months, which requires wearing a pad at least once every six months.
0%
History of loss of sphincter control, currently asymptomatic.
What the VA Looks For
When rating impairment of sphincter control, the VA considers several factors described in the rating criteria:
- Whether the loss of control is complete or partial — the inability to retain or expel stool at an appropriate time and place.
- How the condition responds to a physician-prescribed bowel program — whether it is not responsive, partially responsive, or fully responsive.
- What treatment is required — such as surgery, digital stimulation, medication beyond laxative use, and/or a special diet.
- How often incontinence to solids and/or liquids occurs — ranging from at least once every six months up to two or more times per day.
- How often a pad must be worn or changed — matching the frequency of incontinence episodes.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 7332 under 38 CFR § 4.114 and is provided for general educational purposes. Individual ratings depend on the evidence in each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.114, diagnostic code 7332. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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