What secondary conditions are linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Common secondary conditions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome include Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Migraines. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (DC 7319) is rated at 30%, 20%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment). Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.

Q: What rates 30% for Irritable Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment) (DC 7319), a 30% rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome requires: Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.

Q: What rates 20% for Irritable Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment) (DC 7319), a 20% rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome requires: Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.

Q: What rates 10% for Irritable Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment) (DC 7319), a 10% rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome requires: Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Irritable Bowel Syndrome VA claim?

Key evidence for a Irritable Bowel Syndrome claim includes: 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. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 731938 C.F.R. § 4.114

Diagnostic Code

DC 7319

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Rating Range

10–30%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7319 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment) across 3 severity tiers (30% / 20% / 10%). 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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder with abdominal pain related to defecation and altered bowel habits

Rating Criteria

30%

Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.

20%

Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.

10%

Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.

03Key Evidence

—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

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

05Secondary Conditions

Major Depressive DisorderMODERATE

Chronic GI symptoms cause depression

Anxiety DisorderMODERATE

Unpredictable symptoms cause anxiety

FibromyalgiaMODERATE

Central sensitization affects multiple systems

Chronic Fatigue SyndromeMODERATE

Gut-brain axis dysfunction

MigrainesMODERATE

Shared serotonin pathway dysfunction

Interstitial CystitisMODERATE

Overlapping pelvic pain syndrome

TMJ DisorderMODERATE

Central sensitization affects multiple areas

Pelvic Floor DysfunctionMODERATE

Chronic straining and gut-pelvis connection

AnxietyMODERATE

Gut-brain axis dysfunction

DepressionMODERATE

Chronic symptoms affect quality of life

Chronic FatigueMODERATE

GI dysfunction affects nutrient absorption and energy

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.114 (Digestive system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.114 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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