VA Disability Rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Rated 0/10/30% by symptom severity. Gulf War presumptive under 38 CFR § 3.317.
IBS (DC 7319) is rated by symptom frequency and impact. It is on the Gulf War Illness presumptive list under 38 CFR § 3.317 — Southwest Asia vets can file without a nexus letter.
Presumptive framework applies
Gulf War Illness presumptive (38 CFR § 3.317) — covers chronic multi-symptom illness including functional GI disorders like IBS for Southwest Asia theater vets.
Check my presumptive eligibility →Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | — | Mild — occasional episodes. |
| 10% | $180.42 | Moderate — frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress. |
| 30% | $552.47 | Severe — diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 10%: $180.42/mo · $2,165/year, tax-free
- →At 30%: $552.47/mo · $6,630/year, tax-free
How to get rated for irritable bowel syndrome (ibs)
- Document frequency and severity of episodes in a symptom log.
- Gulf War vets: file under Gulf War Illness presumption.
- Exclude structural causes (Crohn's, UC, colon cancer) via colonoscopy if not already done.
Common secondary conditions
- +Depression
- +Anxiety
- +Fibromyalgia (frequently co-occurring in Gulf War vets)
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Gulf War: cite the presumption. No mechanism-of-injury required.
Frequently asked
Can IBS be rated higher than 30%?
Not under DC 7319. If your functional bowel disorder rises to the level of Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, those are different DCs (7323, 7326) with higher maximums.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.