VA Ratings for IBS With GERD

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal condition that can cause pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea and/or constipation. The severity of IBS varies, but most people can manage the condition with diet and stress management. Some IBS patients need medication. Many people who suffer from IBS also have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), though the connection isn’t fully understood. GERD involves stomach contents backing up into the esophagus, and causes heartburn and other symptoms. 

A veteran pursuing VA disability benefits for IBS with or without GERD will have to establish a service connection. IBS is generally not presumed service connected. However, it is included in the listing of symptoms the VA associates with chronic multisymptom illness in Gulf War veterans, and so is presumed connected for those veterans. 

VA Disability Ratings

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Ratings for IBS

The schedule of ratings for IBS includes just three possible ratings: 10%, 20% and 30%. Here’s how the VA assigns those ratings: 

• 30% disability rating if the veteran experienced abdominal pain related to defecation at least once/week during the prior three months, along with at least two of the following: 
  • Change in stool frequency
  • Change in stool form
  • Altered stool passage
  • Mucorrhea
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Subjective distension
• 20% disability rating if the veteran experienced abdominal pain related to defecation at least three days per month in the past three months and at least two of the following: 
  • Change in stool frequency
  • Change in stool form
  • Altered stool passage
  • Mucorrhea
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Subjective distension
• 10% disability rating if the veteran experienced abdominal pain related to defecation at least one in the past three months and at least two of the following: 
  • Change in stool frequency
  • Change in stool form
  • Altered stool passage
  • Mucorrhea
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Subjective distension

Ratings for GERD

The possible VA disability rating for GERD is higher than the maximum for IBS. The possible ratings are: 

• 80% disability rating with a documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture causing dysphagia with at least one of the following: 
  • Aspiration
  • Undernutrition
  • Substantial weight loss and treatment with surgical correction or a PEG tube
• 50% disability rating with a documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture causing dysphagia requiring one or more of the following:
  • Dilatation 3 or more times per year
  • Dilatation using steroids at least one time per year
  • Esophageal stent placement
• 30% disability rating with a documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year
• 10% disability rating with a documented history of esophageal stricture requiring daily medications to control dysphagia 
• 0% disability rating with a diagnosis but no daily symptoms or need for daily medication

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IBS with GERD

The VA will not assign separate disability ratings for IBS and GERD. Depending on the circumstances, the VA may assign whichever rating is higher, or may assign a combined gastrointestinal disorder rating that considers the symptoms of both conditions. An experienced VA disability benefits lawyer can help you assemble the strongest evidence possible to support the highest available disability rating. To learn more, call us now at 888-373-4722. 

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Read More Here:

• Types Of VA Disabilities
• VA Disability Compensation Rates
• SSDI For Veterans
• Can My Spouse Receive My VA Disability After I Die?
• VA Benefits For Spouses of 100% Disabled Veterans

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