Irritable bowel syndrome is rated under 38 CFR 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7319, which evaluates the condition based on frequency and severity of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress. Ratings range from noncompensable (0%) for mild symptoms, to 10% for moderate symptoms with intermittent episodes, to 30% for severe symptoms with diarrhea, constipation, or alternating episodes accompanied by more or less constant abdominal distress. There is no higher schedular rating for IBS alone under this code, though co-occurring gastrointestinal conditions may sometimes be considered separately if they do not overlap in symptoms (pyramiding rules under 38 CFR 4.14 generally prevent double-compensation for the same symptoms).
To support a claim, veterans typically need three things: a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event, injury, or exposure that could plausibly cause IBS, and a nexus connecting the two. For veterans who served in Southwest Asia theaters (including Iraq), IBS is one of the conditions that can qualify as a presumptive "medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness" under 38 CFR 3.317, which can significantly ease the nexus requirement if the veteran served in a qualifying location during a qualifying period and has no other clear etiology for the symptoms.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Strong claims usually include a colonoscopy or other GI workup ruling out structural disease, a formal IBS diagnosis from a treating provider, a symptom log spanning a meaningful period (often 90 days or more) showing frequency and severity of flare-ups, records of medications or dietary interventions tried, any relevant lab or stool studies, and a detailed personal statement describing how symptoms affect daily functioning, work, and quality of life using language that maps to the rating criteria (frequency of episodes, presence of abdominal distress, alternating bowel patterns, etc.).
At the Compensation and Pension exam, examiners are assessing exactly these same criteria, so consistency between the claims file evidence and what is reported at the exam matters.
Processing times and outcomes vary significantly from case to case depending on the regional office, exam scheduling, and evidence completeness, so no fixed timeline should be expected.
A veteran preparing an IBS claim should gather a current diagnosis, a detailed symptom log, and a personal statement addressing the specific 4.114/DC 7319 criteria before filing, and consider consulting an accredited VSO or claims agent to review the evidence package.
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