Gut problems and gastric distress can have many causes, but there may be a link between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and being a veteran. Obtaining IBS VA disability benefits can be easier for eligible former POWs and Gulf War veterans than for other veterans due to presumptives established by the VA. However, any veteran who can show a link between their service and IBS can qualify for a VA IBS rating.
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It seems like your stomach hurts all the time. If you aren’t running to the bathroom, you have so much gastric distress that you want to. You feel bloated and uncomfortable most of the time. It makes you not want to leave the house or be far from a bathroom. If you have IBS, it may be related to your military service. If so, you deserve VA disability benefits. This post further explains the VA disability IBS rating and other conditions your IBS may be tied to.
In this article about the VA disability rating for IBS:
IBS in veterans
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects 10-15% of the U.S. population. Some veterans may be more likely to develop IBS, an intestinal disorder that causes stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
Veterans who served in the Gulf War are especially prone to the condition, and IBS is a symptom of Gulf War Syndrome. Gulf War Syndrome is used to describe a range of chronic, unexplained symptoms affecting Persian Gulf War veterans. One study found that up to 25% of the Gulf War veterans who participated had IBS.
Doctors aren’t sure what causes IBS, but they believe it can be related to stress and environmental exposure to bacteria or pollutants. These factors put many veterans at greater risk because of their experiences in service.
Doctors can treat IBS with medication, but often, whether treated or untreated, it can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and result in mood disorders.
IBS VA disability rating
The VA rates IBS using diagnostic code 7319 in the Schedule of Ratings based on the severity of your symptoms. The ratings are as follows:
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension | 30% | $537.42 |
| Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension | 20% | $346.95 |
| Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension | 10% | $175.51 |
In addition to qualifying for a direct service connection, IBS can be a secondary condition related to other physical and mental health disorders you may experience. We explain more below.
VA disability rating for GERD and IBS
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disease that occurs when acid or stomach bile flows into the esophagus. It’s common for a person to develop both GERD and IBS. The two conditions have similar symptoms and impact similar regions of the body.
Veterans can receive a VA disability rating between 0% and 80% for GERD, depending on the severity of symptoms they experience and how much it impacts their health. If a veteran’s GERD is linked to their service-connected IBS, they could be owed additional monthly VA compensation for GERD. You’ll want to work with a VA disability lawyer to get a GERD and IBS VA rating and not get your application thrown out for pyramiding.
VA rating for hemorrhoids secondary to IBS
The diarrhea and constipation from IBS can cause or worsen hemorrhoids. The VA rates hemorrhoids under diagnostic code 7336. The rating for hemorrhoids is 0%, 10%, or 20%, depending on the severity of the condition. A veteran with hemorrhoids may be able to show a link between the condition and IBS for additional monthly compensation.
VA rating for IBS secondary to PTSD
Research has found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a factor in the development of IBS. The gut condition is about three times more common in people with PTSD.
About 7% of veterans experience PTSD, which is higher than the civilian average. In fact, PTSD is the fourth most commonly service-connected condition for VA disability benefits. More than 1.3 million veterans receive compensation from the VA for PTSD.
The VA rates PTSD using diagnostic code 9411 in the Schedule of Rating, which uses the rating criteria in the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Mental health disorders can be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, depending on how severe symptoms are and how often you experience them.
A veteran with service-connected PTSD may be able to show a link between their IBS and PTSD for additional monthly disability compensation from the VA.
IBS secondary to anxiety VA disability
IBS and anxiety often occur together due to the frequent stress of having stomach issues.
The VA rates generalized anxiety disorder using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Anxiety disorders can be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, depending on the severity and frequency of symptoms.
Veterans who receive disability benefits for anxiety may also be able to receive IBS benefits if they can show the conditions are linked.
Is IBS a PACT Act presumptive?
The PACT Act, which was signed into law in 2022, expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances. While exposure to chemicals is thought to be one of the causes of IBS, research hasn’t supported the link strongly enough for IBS to be made a presumptive condition. Veterans exposed to toxins in service with IBS may still be able to build a case showing their condition is related to their service, but they will not receive a presumptive connection.
However, the VA does recognize a presumptive connection between IBS and military service for former POWs and many Gulf War veterans. The VA may assign IBS benefits on a presumptive basis to veterans who were held as a POW for at least 30 days or who served in the Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan.
A presumptive service connection means that when a qualifying veteran applies for IBS VA disability benefits, they are not required to submit proof that the IBS is medically linked to their service. If you can prove you are an eligible former POW or Gulf War veteran, your IBS should automatically be service-connected.
Other veterans need to prove service connection through a “medical nexus” before the VA will consider them for IBS VA disability benefits.
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TDIU for IBS
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) if they can’t maintain “substantially gainful employment” because of service-connected conditions. IBS and frequent stomach distress may contribute to a veteran’s inability to work.
The IBS VA ratings aren’t high enough to qualify for TDIU on their own, but veterans with other service-connected conditions like mental health disorders or GERD can qualify. On average, veterans receiving VA disability have more than six service-connected conditions each.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least 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 our VA-accredited attorneys can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve the full VA disability compensation you are owed. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The VA rates irritable bowel syndrome, spastic colitis, and mucous colitis all under the same diagnostic code for irritable colon syndrome.
The highest rating a veteran can receive for service-connected IBS is 30% if symptoms are severe.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
