YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) under diagnostic code 7326, in 38 CFR § 4.114 (digestive system), and the schedule provides four evaluation levels for it: 100%, 60%, 30% and 10%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis)
Crohn's disease is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. DC 7326 covers Crohn's disease and the undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease, and the schedule's index also lists chronic enterocolitis under this code. Note (3) allows the inflammation to involve the small bowel (ileitis), the large bowel (colitis), or any component of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. The percentage follows how the disease is being managed — oral or topical agents, immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or treatment it no longer responds to — together with daily diarrhea episodes, recurrent abdominal pain, and signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia.
The four evaluations are separated by the level of treatment the disease requires and by what it still does despite that treatment. 10 percent is "minimal to mild symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral or topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents)", with recurrent abdominal pain, three or less daily episodes of diarrhea, and no signs of systemic toxicity. 30 percent is mild to moderate disease managed with oral and topical agents, again with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea, but with "minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia". 60 percent requires moderate disease "managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents", with recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea, and intermittent signs of toxicity. 100 percent requires severe disease "unresponsive to treatment" and "hospitalization at least once per year", resulting in either an inability to work or recurrent abdominal pain with at least two of: six or more episodes per day of diarrhea, six or more episodes per day of rectal bleeding, recurrent episodes of rectal incontinence, or recurrent abdominal distension. Note (2) requires diagnoses under this code to be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies. Note (1) directs that following colectomy or colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms, VA rates under either DC 7326 or DC 7329 (Intestine, large, resection of), "whichever provides the highest rating". Ulcerative colitis (DC 7323) is rated on this same ladder.
- Diagnostic code
- 7326
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.114
- Schedule levels
- 100%, 60%, 30% and 10%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.
This code prints no 0% row. Under 38 CFR § 4.31, a 0% evaluation is assigned where the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) VA rating criteria (DC 7326)
Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
IN THE REGULATION’S OWN WORDS
What 38 CFR also says about Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis)
The notes 38 CFR Part 4 prints with these criteria, quoted. They govern how the evaluation is made without being a rating level themselves.
- “Note (1): Following colectomy/colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms, rate either under DC 7326 or DC 7329 (Intestine, large, resection of), whichever provides the highest rating.”DC 7326
- “Note (2): VA requires diagnoses under DC 7326 to be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies.”DC 7326
- “Note (3): Inflammation may involve small bowel (ileitis), large bowel (colitis), or inflammation of any component of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.”DC 7326
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis)?
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim5 tips
- 01
Have the endoscopy or radiologic study in the file. Note (2) makes confirmation by one of them a requirement for a diagnosis under this code.
- 02
The medication class needs to be explicit in the treatment notes: it is one of the elements separating the 30 percent level, which describes management with oral and topical agents, from the 60 percent level, which describes management with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents.
- 03
Daily episode counts belong in the treatment record rather than a description such as "frequent", because the criteria step at three or less, four to five, and six or more episodes per day.
- 04
After a colectomy or colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms, Note (1) calls for a comparison with DC 7329 (Intestine, large, resection of), and the higher of the two evaluations applies.
- 05
Keep inpatient records, since hospitalization at least once per year is a required element of the 100 percent evaluation.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind3 tips
- 01
A diagnosis that has never been confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies, which Note (2) requires for this code.
- 02
Notes that give the drug name but not whether it is an immunosuppressant or biologic agent, leaving the 30-to-60 percent line unanswerable from the record.
- 03
Flares managed at home or by phone that produced no note, so the file holds no episode counts for that period.
Common filing mistakes3 tips
- 01
Filing under "chronic enterocolitis" alone without the Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis, when the index puts chronic enterocolitis under this same code.
- 02
Leaving hospital records out, since hospitalization at least once per year is a required element of the 100 percent evaluation.
- 03
Not raising Note (1) after a colectomy or colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms, where DC 7329 may provide the higher rating.
When symptoms may first appear2 tips
- 01
Note (3) places the inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus — small bowel (ileitis), large bowel (colitis), or any other component — so it is not confined to one segment of bowel.
- 02
The schedule's index lists chronic enterocolitis under DC 7326, so a record that uses that term falls under this code.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) by the numbers
- Veterans service-connected
- ~1,000 veterans
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule, not official VA statistics.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis)
Is Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) under VASRD diagnostic code 7326 (Digestive System). Crohn's disease is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. DC 7326 covers Crohn's disease and the undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease, and the schedule's index also lists chronic enterocolitis under this code. Note (3) allows the inflammation to involve the small bowel (ileitis), the large bowel (colitis), or any component of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. The percentage follows how the disease is being managed — oral or topical agents, immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or treatment it no longer responds to — together with daily diarrhea episodes, recurrent abdominal pain, and signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia.
What VA disability rating can I get for Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis)?
Possible VA ratings for Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) are 100%, 60%, 30%, 10%, 0%. The 0% level comes from 38 CFR 4.31, which assigns it wherever no compensable level is met. Examples: 100%: Severe inflammatory bowel disease that is unresponsive to treatment; and requires hospitalization at least once per year; and results in either an inability to work or is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with at least two of the following: (1) six or more episodes per day of diarrhea, (2) six or more episodes per day of rectal bleeding, (3) recurrent episodes of rectal incontinence, or (4) recurrent abdominal distension; 60%: Moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents; and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea; and intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia; 30%: Mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral and topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia.
What evidence helps prove Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis) claim includes: Endoscopy or radiologic study results confirming the diagnosis, which Note (2) requires; Gastroenterology notes naming the current treatment by class — oral, topical, immunosuppressant, or biologic — since the tiers are drawn on that line; Treatment records carrying daily counts of diarrhea episodes, and of rectal bleeding episodes where they occur; Findings of fever, tachycardia, or anemia, the signs of toxicity the 30 and 60 percent levels name.
Which DBQ is used for Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis)?
VA's Intestinal Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis)?
Common pitfalls when filing for Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chronic Enterocolitis): Filing under "chronic enterocolitis" alone without the Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis, when the index puts chronic enterocolitis under this same code; Leaving hospital records out, since hospitalization at least once per year is a required element of the 100 percent evaluation; Not raising Note (1) after a colectomy or colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms, where DC 7329 may provide the higher rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114, Schedule of ratings, digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7326)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
- 38 CFR § 4.31, zero percent evaluations
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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