---
title: "DC 7356 - Gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome"
diagnostic_code: "7356"
body_system: "Digestive System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.114"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/digestive/7356-gastrointestinal-dysmotility-syndrome"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114"
updated: "2026-07-21T04:22:16.095501Z"
---

# DC 7356 - Gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome

Rated under § 4.114. Body system: Digestive System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 80% | Requiring complete dependence on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or continuous tube feeding for nutritional support |
| 50% | Requiring intermittent tube feeding for nutritional support; with recurrent emergency treatment for episodes of intestinal obstruction or regurgitation due to poor gastric emptying, abdominal pain, recurrent nausea, or recurrent vomiting |
| 30% | With symptoms of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) or symptoms of intestinal motility disorder, including but not limited to, abdominal pain, bloating, feeling of epigastric fullness, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea, managed by ambulatory care; and requiring prescribed dietary management or manipulation |
| 10% | Intermittent abdominal pain with epigastric fullness associated with bloating; and without evidence of a structural gastrointestinal disease |

## Notes

- Note: Use this diagnostic code for illnesses associated with § 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(3) of this chapter, other than those which can be evaluated under DC 7319.

# Gastrointestinal Dysmotility Syndrome (Diagnostic Code 7356)

*Digestive System · Rated under 38 CFR § 4.114*

## Understanding the Condition

Gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome is a disorder that affects how the digestive tract moves food and waste through the body. When the normal muscular movement of the gastrointestinal system doesn't work as it should, it can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea. In more serious cases, it can interfere with the body's ability to take in adequate nutrition.

The VA evaluates this condition under Diagnostic Code 7356. Depending on the severity of symptoms and the level of medical support required, the VA assigns a disability rating at one of the levels described below.

**Note:** This diagnostic code is used for certain illnesses associated with § 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(3), other than those that can be evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7319.

## Available Rating Levels

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

### 80%
Requiring complete dependence on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or continuous tube feeding for nutritional support.

### 50%
Requiring intermittent tube feeding for nutritional support; with recurrent emergency treatment for episodes of intestinal obstruction or regurgitation due to poor gastric emptying, abdominal pain, recurrent nausea, or recurrent vomiting.

### 30%
With symptoms of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) or symptoms of intestinal motility disorder — including but not limited to abdominal pain, bloating, feeling of epigastric fullness, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea — managed by ambulatory care; and requiring prescribed dietary management or manipulation.

### 10%
Intermittent abdominal pain with epigastric fullness associated with bloating; and without evidence of a structural gastrointestinal disease.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome, the VA focuses on the nature and severity of your symptoms and the type of medical support your condition requires. Key factors considered include:

- **Nutritional support needs** — whether you depend completely on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or continuous tube feeding, require intermittent tube feeding, or maintain nutrition through other means.
- **Emergency treatment** — whether you experience recurrent emergency treatment for episodes such as intestinal obstruction or regurgitation from poor gastric emptying.
- **Symptom presentation** — the presence of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) or intestinal motility disorder symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, epigastric fullness, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea.
- **How the condition is managed** — whether symptoms are handled through ambulatory care and prescribed dietary management or manipulation.
- **Structural disease** — at the 10% level, symptoms occur without evidence of a structural gastrointestinal disease.

Each rating level reflects a specific combination of symptoms and support requirements as defined in the VA's rating schedule.

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