What rates 20% for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (DC 7319), a 20% rating for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth requires: Abdominal pain related to defecation 3+ days per month during the previous three months; and 2+ of those symptoms.

What rates 30% for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (DC 7319), a 30% rating for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth requires: Abdominal pain related to defecation 1+ day per week during the previous three months; and 2+ of those symptoms.

What happens during a C&P exam for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth?

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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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth?

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (DC 7319) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319. Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of: change in stool frequency, stool form, altered passage, mucorrhea, bloating, or distension.

Q: What rates 10% for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 (DC 7319), a 10% rating for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth requires: Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of: change in stool frequency, stool form, altered passage, mucorrhea, bloating, or distension.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth VA claim?

Key evidence for a Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth 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 7319 | 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 | 

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

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7319 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7319 across 3 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30%). 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

Excessive bacteria in the small intestine causing bloating, diarrhea, and malabsorption

RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)

10%

Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of: change in stool frequency, stool form, altered passage, mucorrhea, bloating, or distension.

20%

Abdominal pain related to defecation 3+ days per month during the previous three months; and 2+ of those symptoms.

30%

Abdominal pain related to defecation 1+ day per week during the previous three months; and 2+ of those symptoms.

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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