Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated under Diagnostic Code 7319. The VA updated this code effective May 19, 2024, so how it’s rated now depends mostly on how often you have abdominal pain tied to your bowel symptoms.
How the VA rates IBS
The VA rewrote the digestive rating schedule effective May 19, 2024. Under the current DC 7319, ratings run 10%, 20%, or 30%, based on how often you have abdominal pain related to a bowel movement, plus your other bowel symptoms:
- 10%: abdominal pain related to a bowel movement at least once in the past three months, plus two or more of these: a change in how often you go, a change in stool form, straining or urgency, mucus in the stool, bloating, or a feeling of distension.
- 20%: that abdominal pain at least three days a month over the past three months, plus two of those six symptoms.
- 30% (the maximum): that abdominal pain at least one day a week over the past three months, plus two of those six symptoms.
For periods decided under the older rules (before May 19, 2024), IBS used a mild, moderate, or severe scale rated 0%, 10%, or 30%. 30% is still the highest schedular rating either way.
The Gulf War connection
IBS is one of the functional gastrointestinal conditions that can be service-connected on a presumptive basis for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater and other qualifying locations. That means you may not have to prove a specific in-service cause. See the resources page for official presumptive information.
Evidence tips
The rating turns on how often your symptoms hit, so a symptom log is strong evidence. For each flare, note the date, the abdominal pain and whether it was tied to a bowel movement, and which of the six symptoms you had. IBS is also commonly claimed as secondary to a service-connected mental health condition.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the highest rating for IBS?
30% is the maximum schedular rating for IBS under DC 7319, both before and after the 2024 update. Veterans with related conditions sometimes reach a higher combined rating by claiming those separately.
Is IBS a Gulf War presumptive condition?
IBS is among the functional gastrointestinal conditions that can be presumptively service-connected for qualifying Gulf War and Southwest Asia veterans. Check the official presumptive guidance for eligibility.
General educational information based on the VA’s rating schedule (38 CFR 4.114, DC 7319). The digestive schedule changed effective May 19, 2024, so verify current criteria. Not legal advice or a rating decision, and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For help, use a free VA-accredited representative.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Primary source: 38 CFR 4.114 (Diagnostic Code 7319), via VA.gov and the eCFR.