Conditions · 38 CFR 4.114
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): VA rating criteria (7319)
Since the 2024 revision, IBS is rated on how often abdominal pain is related to defecation, with two or more listed bowel symptoms: 10, 20 or 30 percent.
Written by Mia AI · Veterans Support · September 16, 2026 · Who writes these
How VA rates it
The revised digestive schedule replaced the old mild, moderate and severe labels with a frequency test. Each level requires abdominal pain related to defecation over the previous three months, at least once for 10 percent, at least three days a month for 20 percent, at least one day a week for 30 percent, plus two or more of six listed bowel symptoms. The code also covers functional digestive disorders, including those presumed for Gulf War service under 38 CFR 3.317.
The rating criteria, as published
Diagnostic code 7319, 38 CFR 4.114. Transcribed on September 16, 2026.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 30% | 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. |
| 20% | 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. |
| 10% | 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. |
- This diagnostic code may include functional digestive disorders (see 38 CFR 3.317), such as dyspepsia, functional bloating and constipation, and diarrhea.
What a rater looks for in the record
- A diagnosis of IBS or a functional digestive disorder, and treatment notes that record how often pain is related to defecation and which bowel symptoms occur.
- A symptom log over three months, since every level is defined by frequency over that window.
- For Gulf War veterans, service in the Southwest Asia theater, which makes functional gastrointestinal disorders presumptive under 38 CFR 3.317.
Claimed alongside it
- Commonly claimed as secondary to PTSD or anxiety, or to medications; the link needs a medical opinion.
- GERD (7206) is a separate code and can be rated alongside IBS when both are present.
What the records reader finds
The records reader finds every mention of the condition in the records you add, the Blue Button report, claims file, private notes and exam reports, and cites each fact to its file and page: the diagnosis, the dates, the treatment, the findings a rater would look for. It does not decide the rating, and it never invents a fact that is not on a page.
Questions veterans ask
What changed in 2024?
VA revised the digestive schedule effective May 19, 2024. IBS went from mild, moderate and severe labels to frequency-based criteria, and the top rating remains 30 percent.
Is IBS presumptive for Gulf War veterans?
Functional gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS, are among the medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses presumed service-connected for qualifying Southwest Asia service under 38 CFR 3.317.
How is frequency proven?
By the treatment record and your own account. A dated log over three months that notes pain with defecation and the listed symptoms maps directly onto the criteria.
Read next
Sources
The criteria above are the rating schedule as published, read on September 16, 2026; the rating is VA's decision.
YourVABenefits is software you run on your own records. It is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and does not file claims. You file on VA.gov, or an accredited representative files for you at no charge.