Are you a veteran with colon polyps that may be connected to your military service? If so, you may also be asking whether the VA offers a disability rating for this condition.
While there’s no VA diagnostic code for colon polyps, many veterans can qualify for a colon polyps VA rating when their polyps are connected to other health issues like Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and even colon cancer. In other words, while your colon polyps are unlikely to receive their own VA rating, they can still affect your VA disability.
In this blog, we break down what colon polyps are, the factors that put veterans at risk, and how the VA assigns colon polyps VA ratings.
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Key Takeaways
- Colon polyps are small clumps of cells that collect on the lining of the large intestine.
- Colon polyps are usually benign, but can sometimes turn cancerous.
- The VA evaluates colon polyps based on the condition causing them or any residual health issues you have after a treatment.
In this article about the colon polyps VA rating:
What are colon polyps?
Polyps are small clumps of cells. When these clumps collect on the lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon, they are called colon polyps.
Typically, colon polyps are harmless, or benign, but some can turn cancerous.
Many people with colon polyps don’t experience any symptoms, making it important to get regular screenings, especially if you have a family history of polyps or colorectal cancer.
If you do have symptoms, you may experience changes in bowel habits such as constipation or diarrhea, changes in stool color, increased amount of mucus in stool, weight loss, stomach pain or cramping, or rectal bleeding. Some people also develop iron deficiency anemia.
Colon polyps risk factors
Although medical professionals know how polyps are formed, there is no known cause of the overproduction of cells in the colon.
However, several factors can increase your risk of developing colon polyps, including having a family history of polyps, having an inflammatory bowel disease, having diabetes, or being obese, among others.
Veterans specifically may be at a higher risk of developing health conditions that lead to colon polyps due to risk factors they face.
These include:
- Exposure to toxins from burn pits are known to cause colon cancer, which starts in the form of colon polyps
- Smoking and alcohol use that’s common, especially for self-medicating, during and after military service
- Veterans face slightly higher rates of PTSD than their civilian counterparts. Vets with PTSD also face a higher risk of digestive problems compared to those without the condition. Research suggests chronic stress and heightened alertness associated with PTSD can disrupt gut function. This may contribute to inflammation and other changes that can increase the likelihood of developing colon polyps and other digestive issues. Habits often linked to PTSD, such as poor sleep, unhealthy diet, or alcohol use, can further amplify these risks.
VA rating for colon polyps
There is no single VA rating for colon polyps. Colon polyps do not have their own diagnostic code, but diagnostic code 7344 in the Schedule of Ratings for the digestive system reads as follows:
7344 Benign neoplasms, exclusive of skin growths:
Evaluate under a diagnostic code appropriate to the predominant disability or the specific residuals after treatment.
Note: This diagnostic code includes lipoma, leiomyoma, colon polyps, or villous adenoma.
What does this mean? The VA is instructed to evaluate colon polyps based on the condition causing them or any residual health issues you have after a treatment.
Below are a few ways the VA may assign your rating for colon polyps, depending on your primary condition or treatments. These examples are not exhaustive, and ultimately your VA rating will depend on your specific conditions, symptoms, and circumstance.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease VA rating
Colon polyps are common among those with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are both evaluated under diagnostic code 7326 for Crohn’s disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease. Potential ratings are 10%, 30%, 60%, and 100% based on the veteran’s symptoms and the illness’ severity.
Colectomy VA rating
If colon polyps or the condition causing them lead to a colectomy, the condition will be rated under diagnostic code 7329 for resectioning of the large intestine. Colectomies are often performed to treat conditions like colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis.
Veterans who need a colectomy may receive a VA rating between 10% and 100% depending on whether their colectomy is partial or total and what related complications they experience.
Colon cancer VA rating
While most colon polyps are benign, there is a low chance that the polyp may turn into cancer.
Colon cancer is evaluated under diagnostic code 7343 for malignant neoplasms of the digestive system.
While it’s being treated and for six months after treatment, veterans with service-connected colon cancer are automatically given a 100% disability rating. After this period, the VA will reevaluate the condition and assign a new rating based on any residual health issues.
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Agent Orange and colon polyps
Many veterans wonder if past exposure to Agent Orange can cause colon polyp growth. While Agent Orange exposure is linked to several health conditions, research does not currently support a connection between Agent Orange and the development of colon polyps, or colon cancer.
However, if colon polyps develop into cancer and you were exposed to burn pits during a qualifying time and location during your service, your colon cancer is considered a presumptive condition. This means the VA automatically assumes your illness is connected to your military service, so you don’t need to gather additional evidence to prove the link.
How Woods & Woods can help
Woods & Woods has been fighting for people with injuries and disabilities since 1985. Our team of accredited VA disability lawyers, case managers, legal analysts, and intake specialists know the ins and outs of the VA so you don’t have to do all the hard work. Call us today for your free and confidential case evaluation.
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Frequently asked questions
There is currently not enough evidence proving exposure to Agent Orange causes an increased risk of colon polyps. Additionally, the VA does not list colon polyps on its presumptive conditions list for Agent Orange exposure.
There is no single VA rating for colon polyps, and they do not have their own diagnostic code. The VA is instructed to evaluate colon polyps based on the condition causing them or any residual health issues you have after treatment.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
