What are the VA rating percentages for Short Bowel Syndrome?

Short Bowel Syndrome (DC 7328) is rated at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328. Status post intestinal resection, asymptomatic.

What rates 0% for Short Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328 (DC 7328), a 0% rating for Short Bowel Syndrome requires: Status post intestinal resection, asymptomatic.

What rates 20% for Short Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328 (DC 7328), a 20% rating for Short Bowel Syndrome requires: Status post intestinal resection with four or more episodes of diarrhea per day.

What happens during a C&P exam for Short 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.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Short Bowel Syndrome

Q: What rates 40% for Short Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328 (DC 7328), a 40% rating for Short Bowel Syndrome requires: Status post intestinal resection with four or more episodes of diarrhea per day resulting in undernutrition and anemia; and requiring prescribed oral dietary supplementation and continuous medication.

Q: What rates 60% for Short Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328 (DC 7328), a 60% rating for Short Bowel Syndrome requires: Status post intestinal resection with undernutrition and anemia; and requiring prescribed oral dietary supplementation, continuous medication AND intermittent total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Q: What rates 80% for Short Bowel Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328 (DC 7328), a 80% rating for Short Bowel Syndrome requires: Status post intestinal resection with undernutrition and anemia; and requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

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

Key evidence for a Short 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 7328 | 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.114 (Digestive system) · reviewed 2026-05-17 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Short Bowel Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7328 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7328 across 5 severity tiers (0% / 20% / 40% / 60% / 80%). 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.

OVERVIEW

Malabsorptive condition resulting from extensive surgical removal of the small intestine

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

Status post intestinal resection, asymptomatic.

20%

Status post intestinal resection with four or more episodes of diarrhea per day.

40%

Status post intestinal resection with four or more episodes of diarrhea per day resulting in undernutrition and anemia; and requiring prescribed oral dietary supplementation and continuous medication.

60%

Status post intestinal resection with undernutrition and anemia; and requiring prescribed oral dietary supplementation, continuous medication AND intermittent total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

80%

Status post intestinal resection with undernutrition and anemia; and requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

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

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.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.114 (Digestive system). Source verified 2026-05-17 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison 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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