If you have diverticulitis, you already know how painful and uncomfortable it can be to live with. What you may not know is that the gastrointestinal issue may be related to your military service, which means you could be compensated for it. This post explains the diverticulitis VA rating.
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You always need to know where the bathroom is. Going out to eat, socializing, or even running errands is uncomfortable because you never know when you’ll need to find a restroom immediately. When you have diverticulitis, doing regular daily activities is difficult. That’s why, if your condition is related to your military service, it’s important to understand VA disability for diverticulitis. You deserve compensation for the emotional and mental distress the condition causes.
In this article about the diverticulitis VA rating:
Diverticulitis in veterans
Diverticula are small, bulging pouches in the lining of your digestive system, usually in your colon or large intestine. Diverticulitis develops when one of the diverticula gets infected or inflamed, causing symptoms like severe abdominal pain, indigestion, bowel changes, fever, and nausea.
Doctors can treat diverticulitis through medication and diet changes, although severe cases may result in the need for surgery to remove part of your colon or restructure your bowels.
Veterans are generally at higher risk for chronic diseases, including gastrointestinal issues like diverticulitis. This increased likelihood results from exposure to severe stress, digestive tract infections, and environmental toxins.
One study found that diverticulitis in veterans may be slightly higher than that in the general population, but the amount (.22%) was too insufficient to claim any substantial difference. The study did, however, find that Vietnam veterans were more prone to diverticulitis than other veterans in the study. It was a surprising finding because the risk of developing the condition tends to increase with age, leading researchers to believe the highest rates of the condition would be in “the oldest generations who served during periods of service such as World War I, World War II, and the Korean conflict.”
Diverticulitis VA rating
The VA rates diverticulitis under Diagnostic Code 7327. Which rating you receive depends on your specific symptoms and overall health. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you could receive a rating of 0%, 20, or 30%.
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells) one or more times in the past 12 months; and with at least one of the following complications: (1) hemorrhage, (2) obstruction, (3) abscess, (4) peritonitis, or (5) perforation | 30% | $537.42 |
| Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cells) one or more times in the past 12 months; and without associated (1) hemorrhage, (2) obstruction, (3) abscess, (4) peritonitis, or (5) perforation | 20% | $346.95 |
| Asymptomatic; or a symptomatic diverticulitis or diverticulosis that is managed by diet and medication | 0% | None |
Diverticulitis secondary conditions
Diverticulitis may also be considered a secondary condition if caused by another service-connected disability.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may result in diverticulitis. PTSD is the most severe trauma disorder, and veterans are prone to it because of service- and combat-related stress.
Therefore, if you receive VA disability benefits for PTSD and are diagnosed with diverticulitis, it’s worth considering whether the two are related.
“The firm got me to 70%, and I was happy. Individual unemployability was awarded to me and to this day I’m so grateful. My future is no longer bleak. These people work very hard for you.“
TDIU for diverticulitis
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for diverticulitis if they can’t maintain “substantially gainful employment” because of it.
Diverticulitis could make it difficult to maintain a full-time job because of the pain associated with it and an inability to stand, walk, drive, or be away from a restroom for even a limited time.
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 VA disability compensation. 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
Yes, diverticulitis qualifies for VA benefits. How much those benefits are depends on the symptoms you experience and the severity of those symptoms. You could receive a rating of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 60%, or 100% for service-connected diverticulitis.
Yes, diverticulitis can be a secondary condition to PTSD. The severe emotional distress that causes the trauma disorder can also manifest physically in conditions like gastrointestinal disorders. If you have PTSD related to your military experience and are diagnosed with diverticulitis, it’s worth considering whether the two are related.
Neil Woods
VA disability lawyer
Woods and Woods
VA Accreditation Number: 44739
