EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
DC 7319 | 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7319 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 across 3 severity tiers (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Major Depressive Disorder or Anxiety Disorder under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder with abdominal pain and altered bowel habits
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis
Severe limitation of motion or ankylosis of the affected joint. Specific percentages depend on the joint and whether dominant/non-dominant.
20% -- Moderate limitation
Moderate limitation of motion with significant functional impairment. DeLuca factors may increase the effective rating.
10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion
Mild limitation of motion, or X-ray evidence of arthritis with painful motion under DC 5003.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (11 MAPPED)
DC
Chronic GI symptoms cause depression
DC
Unpredictable symptoms cause anxiety
DC
Central sensitization affects multiple systems
DC
Gut-brain axis dysfunction
DC
Shared serotonin pathway dysfunction
DC
Overlapping pelvic pain syndrome
DC
Central sensitization affects multiple areas
DC
Chronic straining and gut-pelvis connection
DC
Gut-brain axis dysfunction
DC
Chronic symptoms affect quality of life
DC
GI dysfunction affects nutrient absorption and energy
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026