Rating criteria for 55 digestive conditions will change effective May 19, 2024.
The most significant changes include how the VA evaluates and rates celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hemorrhoids, according to a VA press release.
Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes an inflammatory immune reaction to gluten, will now have its own rating criteria. Before the change, veterans with this condition were assigned an analogous rating from 0% to 30%. Now, veterans with service-connected celiac disease will be rated using a specific diagnostic code and can receive ratings from 0% to 80%.
Additionally, under the new criteria, veterans rated for IBS and hemorrhoids will always receive a compensable evaluation.
Veterans will be rated at 10%, 20%, or 30% for IBS, compared to the old criteria which offered zero, 10%, and 30% evaluations.
For veterans diagnosed with mild to moderate service-connected hemorrhoids, the VA will assign a 10% rating, instead of the previous criteria which assigned a zero percent rating for mild to moderate hemorrhoids and a 10% or 20% rating for severe cases.
“The updates will bring the rating criteria more closely in line with the stated purpose of the rating schedule, which is to provide evaluations based upon average impairment of earning capacity for each and every veteran,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Josh Jacobs.
These changes will not affect veterans’ current ratings. Veterans with a disability rating affected by this update can apply for increased compensation if necessary. A reduced rating will only be assigned if the veteran’s symptoms have improved.
Digestive system VA claims that are pending as of May 19 will be considered under both the old and updated criteria, and the VA will decide a rating based on what is most favorable to the veteran.
To see a full list of conditions impacted by the update, visit the Federal Register webpage.
Neil Woods
VA disability lawyer
Woods and Woods
VA Accreditation Number: 44739
