---
title: "DC 7323 - Colitis, ulcerative"
diagnostic_code: "7323"
body_system: "Digestive System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.114"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/digestive/7323-colitis-ulcerative"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:48:33.255517Z"
---

# DC 7323 - Colitis, ulcerative

Rated under § 4.114. Body system: Digestive System.

Rate as Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease (DC 7326).

Rate as Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease (DC 7326)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Severe inflammatory bowel disease that is unresponsive to treatment; and requires hospitalization at least once per year; and results in either an inability to work or is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with at least two of the following: (1) six or more episodes per day of diarrhea, (2) six or more episodes per day of rectal bleeding, (3) recurrent episodes of rectal incontinence, or (4) recurrent abdominal distension |
| 60% | Moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents; and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea; and intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia |
| 30% | Mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral and topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia |
| 10% | Minimal to mild symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral or topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and no signs of systemic toxicity |

# Ulcerative Colitis (VA Diagnostic Code 7323)

*Digestive System · 38 CFR § 4.114*

## Understanding Ulcerative Colitis and How the VA Rates It

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease affecting the digestive system. Under the VA rating schedule, ulcerative colitis (Diagnostic Code 7323) is **rated as Crohn's disease or the undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease (Diagnostic Code 7326)**.

The VA assigns a disability rating based on how severe your condition is, how it is managed, and the symptoms it produces. Ratings are available at four levels: **10%, 30%, 60%, and 100%**. The sections below describe what each level involves.

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## Available Rating Levels

### 100%
Severe inflammatory bowel disease that is unresponsive to treatment; **and** requires hospitalization at least once per year; **and** results in *either* an inability to work *or* is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with at least **two** of the following:

1. Six or more episodes per day of diarrhea
2. Six or more episodes per day of rectal bleeding
3. Recurrent episodes of rectal incontinence
4. Recurrent abdominal distension

### 60%
Moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents; **and** is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea; **and** intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia.

### 30%
Mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral and topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); **and** is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or fewer daily episodes of diarrhea and minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia.

### 10%
Minimal to mild symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral or topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); **and** is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or fewer daily episodes of diarrhea and no signs of systemic toxicity.

---

## What the VA Looks For

When rating ulcerative colitis, the VA considers several factors reflected across the rating levels:

- **Severity of the disease** — ranging from minimal or mild through moderate to severe and unresponsive to treatment.
- **How the condition is managed** — for example, oral or topical agents, immunosuppressants or biologic agents, outpatient management, or hospitalization at least once per year.
- **Frequency of diarrhea episodes** — from three or fewer daily episodes up to six or more per day.
- **Recurrent abdominal pain** and, at higher levels, **abdominal distension**.
- **Rectal bleeding** and **rectal incontinence** at the most severe level.
- **Signs of systemic toxicity** — such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia — noted as absent, minimal, or intermittent depending on severity.
- **Impact on the ability to work** at the highest rating level.

*This information summarizes the VA rating criteria for Diagnostic Code 7323 and is provided for general educational purposes only.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114