If you have a digestive issue resulting from your military service, you may be eligible to receive a VA rating for gastrointestinal disorders. These ratings cover service-connected functional gastrointestinal disorders like GERD as well as structural ones such as hemorrhoids.
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You served your country, and now you’re experiencing stomach problems. You have frequent gastrointestinal issues like stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you believe your condition is related to military service, you’ll want to understand the structural and functional gastrointestinal disorders VA ratings. This post explains more.
In this article about the VA rating for gastrointestinal conditions:
Gastrointestinal disorders in veterans
According to the VA’s 2023 annual report, nearly 1.5 million veterans receive a VA rating for gastrointestinal disorders, with hernias, hemorrhoids, and IBS being the most commonly service-connected conditions in this category.
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are diseases that impact the digestive system, which includes the throat, stomach, and bowels. Basically, if it helps your body process food, it’s part of the digestive system or GI tract.
GI disorders can be short-term or chronic, and they have various causes, including infection, autoimmune diseases, environmental factors, or even severe stress.
There are generally two types of GI disorders: functional and structural. A functional gastrointestinal disorder is when the GI tract looks healthy in an exam but isn’t working properly. These disorders include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can qualify for a functional gastrointestinal disorder VA rating.
The other is a structural gastrointestinal disorder. This is when the bowel appears abnormal in an exam and isn’t functioning properly. This includes disorders like hemorrhoids, polyps, and even colon cancer.
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VA rating for gastrointestinal disorders
The VA rates gastrointestinal disorders using the Schedule of Ratings for the digestive system. Not every condition is rated the same. For that reason, service-connected gastrointestinal disorders are rated using a wide range of diagnostic codes.
Presumptive gastrointestinal disorders
Some gastrointestinal disorders are assumed presumptive in veterans. A presumptive service connection means that when a qualifying veteran applies for VA disability, they are not required to prove a “medical nexus” or proof that their condition is medically linked to their service. Instead, the condition is automatically presumed service connected.
Burn pit presumptive conditions
The U.S. military used burn pits to dispose of onsite waste during 21st-century conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Qatar, and other locations throughout the region. It was later determined that some of the materials burned in these pits released toxins, putting military personnel at risk for a myriad of health conditions.
As part of the 2022 PACT Act, which expanded benefits for veterans exposed to such toxins, veterans who served near burn pits became eligible for a presumptive service connection for any type of gastrointestinal cancers.
Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions
The VA offers disability benefits as well as health benefits to active duty, Reservists, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, and who left the service under conditions other than a dishonorable discharge.
Qualifying veterans are eligible to receive a presumptive service connection for liver cancer if they served at Camp Lejeune during that time.
Gulf War presumptive conditions
Gulf War veterans are also eligible for certain gastrointestinal presumptive conditions. A Gulf War veteran is anyone who served in specific locations in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations from Aug. 2, 1990, to the present.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, and abdominal pain syndrome are Gulf War presumptive conditions if diagnosed during or after active duty and if they’ve lasted for at least six months.
Presumptive conditions for prisoners of war
Prisoners of war (POW) are eligible for various presumptive VA benefits. POWs held captive for 30 days or more can receive benefits for IBS and cirrhosis of the liver.
Chronic conditions presumptive one year after separation
The VA considers some chronic conditions presumptive if they occur within a year after discharge. Some of the chronic gastrointestinal conditions eligible for this benefit include:
- Gallstones
- Cirrhosis
- Ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal)
Presumptive conditions for ionizing radiation
Atomic veterans are veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation from waste, weapons, or equipment while in the military. A variety of medical conditions have been linked to ionizing radiation exposure, including most gastrointestinal cancers. Those cancers, which include bile duct, colon, esophagus, gallbladder, liver, and stomach cancers, qualify as presumptive conditions.
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TDIU for gastrointestinal issues
Veterans experiencing pain and discomfort from their service-connected gastrointestinal disorder may find daily life more difficult. Some symptoms may even make it hard to maintain employment. Whether your job is physical or sedentary, the abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation, and fatigue that accompanies many digestive conditions can sometimes make work impossible.
For veterans who are unable to work due to a service-connected condition, total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits may be available. TDIU pays veterans the same monthly compensation as a 100% rating, even if their disability is less than 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- One service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
How Woods and Woods can help
Woods and 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 knows 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
Yes. The VA rates gastrointestinal disorders using the Schedule of Ratings for the digestive system. Service-connected gastrointestinal disorders are rated using a wide range of diagnostic codes.
Yes. Several gastrointestinal disorders are eligible for a presumptive service connection. There are gastrointestinal presumptives for Gulf War veterans, former POWs, atomic veterans, qualifying veterans who served at Camp Lejeune or who were exposed to burn pits, and veterans with chronic conditions that developed within one year after separation. For more information about whether you qualify for a presumptive service connection, visit the VA’s website.
Neil Woods
VA disability lawyer
Woods and Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
