Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease is a VA-ratable condition under diagnostic code 7326 in the Digestive System category. Maximum rating: 100%.
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 2* of the following: (1) *6 or more* episodes per day of diarrhea, (2) *6 or more* episodes per day of rectal bleeding, (3) recurrent episodes of rectal incontinence, *and/or* (4) recurrent abdominal distention. |
| 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, *4 to 5 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 *3 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 *3 or less* daily episodes of diarrhea and **NO** signs of systemic toxicity. |
Filing Tips
Pro Tip: The VA won't connect the dots for you. That's your job. Build the paper trail before you file.
Gather medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of this condition.
Document in-service events, injuries, or exposures that caused or aggravated this condition.
Consider a nexus letter from a medical professional linking your condition to service.
Review the rating criteria for DC 7326 to understand what symptoms warrant higher ratings.