VA Diagnostic Code 7355Celiac disease
Rated from 30% to 80% under § 4.114. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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- 80%
Malabsorption syndrome with weakness which interferes with activities of daily living; and weight loss resulting in wasting and nutritional deficiencies; and with systemic manifestations including but not limited to, weakness and fatigue, dermatitis, lymph node enlargement, hypocalcemia, low vitamin levels; and anemia related to malabsorption; and episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea due to lactase deficiency or pancreatic insufficiency
- 50%
Malabsorption syndrome with chronic diarrhea managed by medically-prescribed dietary intervention such as prescribed gluten-free diet, with nutritional deficiencies due to lactase and pancreatic insufficiency; and with systemic manifestations including, but not limited to, weakness and fatigue, dermatitis, lymph node enlargement, hypocalcemia, low vitamin levels, or atrophy of the inner intestinal lining shown on biopsy
- 30%
Malabsorption syndrome with chronic diarrhea managed by medically-prescribed dietary intervention such as prescribed gluten-free diet; and without nutritional deficiencies
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): An appropriate serum antibody test or endoscopy with biopsy must confirm the diagnosis.
- Note (2): For evaluation of celiac disease with the predominant disability of malabsorption, use the greater evaluation between DC 7328 or celiac disease under DC 7355.
VA Disability Ratings for Celiac Disease (Diagnostic Code 7355)
Celiac disease is rated under the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities in the Digestive System category, at 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7355.
What This Condition Is
Celiac disease is a digestive condition that the VA evaluates based on how it affects your body — particularly the presence of malabsorption syndrome, chronic diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic (whole-body) manifestations. Under this rating schedule, the VA looks at factors such as how the condition is managed (for example, through a medically-prescribed dietary intervention like a prescribed gluten-free diet), whether nutritional deficiencies are present, and the degree to which symptoms interfere with daily life.
How the VA Confirms the Diagnosis
Under the rating notes for this code:
- An appropriate serum antibody test or endoscopy with biopsy must confirm the diagnosis. (Note 1)
- When the predominant disability is malabsorption, the VA uses the greater evaluation between Diagnostic Code 7328 or celiac disease under Diagnostic Code 7355. (Note 2)
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns one of the following rating levels based on the criteria your condition meets:
80%
Malabsorption syndrome with weakness which interferes with activities of daily living; and weight loss resulting in wasting and nutritional deficiencies; and with systemic manifestations including but not limited to weakness and fatigue, dermatitis, lymph node enlargement, hypocalcemia, low vitamin levels; and anemia related to malabsorption; and episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea due to lactase deficiency or pancreatic insufficiency.
50%
Malabsorption syndrome with chronic diarrhea managed by medically-prescribed dietary intervention such as a prescribed gluten-free diet, with nutritional deficiencies due to lactase and pancreatic insufficiency; and with systemic manifestations including, but not limited to, weakness and fatigue, dermatitis, lymph node enlargement, hypocalcemia, low vitamin levels, or atrophy of the inner intestinal lining shown on biopsy.
30%
Malabsorption syndrome with chronic diarrhea managed by medically-prescribed dietary intervention such as a prescribed gluten-free diet; and without nutritional deficiencies.
What the VA Looks For When Rating Celiac Disease
When evaluating celiac disease under Diagnostic Code 7355, the VA considers:
- A confirmed diagnosis through an appropriate serum antibody test or endoscopy with biopsy.
- The presence and severity of malabsorption syndrome.
- How chronic diarrhea is managed — for example, through a medically-prescribed dietary intervention such as a prescribed gluten-free diet.
- Whether nutritional deficiencies are present, including deficiencies due to lactase and pancreatic insufficiency.
- Systemic manifestations, which may include weakness and fatigue, dermatitis, lymph node enlargement, hypocalcemia, and low vitamin levels.
- Weight loss resulting in wasting, anemia related to malabsorption, and episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- The degree of impact on daily life, including weakness that interferes with activities of daily living.
- Findings from biopsy, such as atrophy of the inner intestinal lining.
This information summarizes the VA rating schedule criteria for Diagnostic Code 7355 as found in 38 CFR § 4.114. It is provided for general informational purposes only.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.114, diagnostic code 7355. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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