◢ Internal • 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Irritable bowel syndrome is rated under DC 7319 with a 30% maximum. Gulf War veterans (those who served in Southwest Asia after August 2, 1990, or Afghanistan after September 19, 2001) get presumptive service connection for IBS as a Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illness — meaning no in-service complaint or nexus letter is required.
Rating tiers under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319
The VA rates ibs (irritable bowel syndrome) at these schedular tiers. Most veterans land at the middle tiers — extreme tiers require correspondingly extreme documentation.
Mild disturbances of bowel function with occasional episodes of abdominal distress.
Moderate; frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress.
Severe; diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress.
Evidence the C&P examiner needs
Build the record before the exam. Walk in with documentation, walk out with a stronger rating.
- 01
Intestinal Conditions DBQ from a gastroenterologist or primary-care provider
- 02
Treatment records documenting symptom frequency and severity
- 03
Symptom journal: bowel movements per day, episodes of incontinence, abdominal pain log
- 04
For Gulf War veterans: DD-214 confirming Southwest Asia or Afghanistan service
- 05
Imaging or endoscopy ruling out IBD (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis) which are rated separately
Secondary conditions to file alongside
These conditions frequently develop as a consequence of ibs (irritable bowel syndrome) and are often missed. Each can be filed as a secondary claim and add to your combined rating.
Hemorrhoids
Common comorbidity rated separately under DC 7336.
Anxiety / depression (secondary to IBS)
Chronic GI symptoms with social impairment can support a secondary mental health claim.
Common mistakes that lower the rating
- 01
Gulf War veterans not citing the presumptive provision — explicitly mention 38 CFR § 3.317 in your claim
- 02
Filing IBS without distinguishing it from IBD — the rater may misclassify; specify 'IBS' and the DC 7319 code
- 03
Not documenting frequency — the difference between 0% and 30% is documented frequency and severity
Pro tip
If you served in the Gulf War or post-9/11 Southwest Asia theater, IBS is presumptively connected. File under 38 CFR § 3.317 and the VA cannot demand in-service medical records linking the condition to service.
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Source: 38 CFR Part 4 (VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities) and VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. This guide explains the regulation; it is not legal advice and does not substitute for an accredited VA claims agent or VSO. Find a free VSO at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation.