Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Answers?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226
Understanding VA ratings for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is crucial if you’re dealing with chronic digestive issues and want to get all the VA disability compensation and benefits you rightfully deserve.
Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis, dyspepsia, and chronic diarrhea often don’t show up on tests, which means they’re frequently overlooked, but that doesn’t make their impact any less real or serious.
In this post, you’ll learn what FGIDs are, how the VA rates them, and the three key pieces of evidence you need to prove service connection for your condition.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders are conditions that affect the digestive system’s function, causing symptoms such as pain, bloating, or irregular bowel movements without showing visible damage in medical tests.
- A functional gastrointestinal disorder VA rating is based on how frequent and severe your symptoms are.
- Gulf War Veterans with FGIDs diagnosed during or after service in Southwest Asia may qualify without proving a direct service connection.
What are Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders?
FGIDs are disorders where your digestive system doesn’t function normally, even though medical tests like blood work, endoscopies, or X-rays don’t show any apparent damage.
They occur due to issues with how your brain and gut communicate, nerve sensitivity, gut motility, or alterations in gut bacteria.
Common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Bloating and gas
- Diarrhea, constipation, or both
- Nausea or indigestion
Risk Factors of FGIDs in Veterans
Veterans face a higher risk of developing FGIDs, especially women and those with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
GI infections, which are common during deployments to tropical or subtropical regions, are a significant trigger, affecting approximately 30% of service members monthly.
Military studies show that the more severe or prolonged the infection, the greater the chance of developing an FGID.
Stressful experiences, particularly those during combat, can further increase this risk, especially when stress and infection happen at the same time.
Reducing FGID risk starts with preventing infections through safe food, clean water, and good hygiene during deployment.
How the VA Rates Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
The VA rates functional gastrointestinal disorders under § 4.114 of the Schedule of Ratings—Digestive System, with ratings based on the frequency, severity, and impact of your symptoms.
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders VA Ratings
Gastritis VA Ratings
Gastritis causes inflammation of the stomach lining, resulting in symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
The VA rates gastritis under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7307, which is evaluated as peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304), with ratings of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%, depending on the frequency, severity, and impact of symptoms such as pain, vomiting, bleeding, and anemia.
Related Post: How to Get a Gastritis VA Rating
Diverticulitis VA Ratings
Diverticulitis occurs when one or more of the small pouches in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected.
This condition usually causes more noticeable and serious symptoms, such as:
- Sharp, sudden pain in the lower left side of the abdomen
- Changes in bowel habits, like constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Abdominal tenderness
- Rectal bleeding (less common)
The VA rates diverticulitis at 0%, 20%, and 30% under DC 7327.
Related Post: What is the Diverticulitis VA Rating?
IBS VA Ratings
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic digestive condition that affects the large intestine, resulting in symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements, including diarrhea, constipation, or both.
VA rates IBS at 10%, 20%, or 30% under DC 7319 based on abdominal pain related to defecation frequency and the presence of two or more associated symptoms, such as changes in stool frequency or form, straining or urgency, mucorrhea, abdominal bloating, or subjective distension.
Related Post: What is the VA Rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease VA Ratings
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract.
Symptoms often come in waves (flares), with periods of remission. These conditions can cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue, making day-to-day life difficult for many veterans.
IBD may be rated under DC 7323 (Ulcerative Colitis) or DC 7326 (Crohn’s Disease).
Related Post: The Top 5 Ulcerative Colitis VA Rating Tips Explained
Functional Dyspepsia VA Rating
Functional Dyspepsia is a common digestive disorder that causes persistent or recurring pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by bloating, nausea, or early fullness after eating.
The VA rating for functional dyspepsia depends on the severity and frequency of symptoms, which can range from mild to severe enough to interfere with daily activities.
Functional Dysphagia VA Ratings
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, which can range from mild discomfort to a serious condition that interferes with eating and nutrition.
The VA rates dysphagia under DC 7203 (stricture of the esophagus), with ratings from 0% to 80%, depending on how severely it impacts your ability to swallow and maintain nutrition, including factors such as the frequency of dilations, presence of aspiration, undernutrition, substantial weight loss, and the need for surgical correction or PEG tube placement.
Related Post: Dysphagia VA Rating Explained
Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome VA Rating
Functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) causes ongoing belly pain without a clear physical cause.
The VA rates FAPS under functional gastrointestinal disorders based on how severe and frequent the pain is and how much it affects daily life.
Functional Constipation VA Rating
Functional constipation is a type of chronic constipation where there’s no apparent physical cause.
Still, the bowel doesn’t move properly, leading to symptoms like hard stools, straining, and infrequent bowel movements.
The VA rates functional constipation based on the frequency of symptoms and their impact on daily life.
Chronic Diarrhea VA Rating
Chronic diarrhea refers to the persistent occurrence of frequent, loose, and watery stools that last for weeks or longer.
For many veterans, it’s more than an inconvenience; it can severely impact their health, energy, and quality of life.
If you’re dealing with ongoing diarrhea, the VA may rate it as a symptom of a related condition like IBS.
Ratings typically range from 10% to 40% for chronic diarrhea, depending on the frequency and severity of symptoms.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) VA Ratings
The VA rates GERD under DC 7206 at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, or 80%. Your VA rating for GERD will depend on the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms.
Related Post: How to Maximize Your VA Disability for GERD!
FGID as VA Presumptives
The VA considers FGIDs, like IBS, dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain syndrome, as presumptive conditions.
If these conditions began during service in Southwest Asia anytime from August 2, 1990, to the present, they may be presumed service-connected, meaning you don’t need to prove a direct link to your military service.
Related Post: Why VA Presumptive Conditions Are Easy to Get Approved!
How to Prove Service Connection for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
You must prove that your functional gastrointestinal disorders are connected to your military service to receive VA disability benefits and compensation.
You’ll need:
- A current medical diagnosis
- Evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness
- A medical nexus (link) connecting your functional gastrointestinal disorder to your military service
(Video) How to File a VA Claim Online Step-by-Step!
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder?
Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, affecting about 1 in 7 adults across the United States.
What is the VA disability rating for functional gastrointestinal disorders?
The VA disability rating for functional gastrointestinal disorders depends on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. VA ratings typically range from 10% to 40%, based on factors like how often symptoms occur and how severe they are.
Are FGIDs considered presumptive for VA disability?
Yes, certain functional gastrointestinal disorders like IBS and functional dyspepsia are presumptive for Gulf War Veterans who developed them during or after service in the Southwest Asia theater. For other veterans, service connection must be proven with medical evidence.
Can pancreatitis be tied to GERD VA disability rating?
Pancreatitis can sometimes be related to GERD, but it’s important to have clear medical evidence linking the two conditions. The VA disability rating for pancreatitis from GERD depends on the severity and how well you can prove the connection between your GERD and pancreatitis.
Can FGIDs be secondary to PTSD or anxiety?
Yes. FGIDs are commonly aggravated by chronic stress, PTSD, or other mental health conditions. A medical nexus letter can help establish this secondary connection.
Can you get VA disability for chronic diarrhea without a diagnosis?
No. You need a formal diagnosis from a medical professional to qualify for VA disability, even if your symptoms are severe or persistent.
Want Expert-Level Support for Your VA Disability Claim? WE GOT YOUR SIX!
- VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.
- Work directly with a VA claims coach who can educate you to VA claim victory.
- 25,000+ disabled veterans have served in our membership programs since 2016.
- 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our #1-rated Elite program.
- 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 6,000+ total reviews; over 5,000 5-star reviews.
Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
