VASRD 7347 · Digestive System
Pancreatitis, Chronic VA Disability Rating
Chronic pancreatitis is long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that causes recurring abdominal or mid-back pain and, as the gland fails, difficulty digesting and absorbing food. DC 7347 provides three evaluations — 30, 60 and 100 percent — and each is written around counted episodes of that pain, hospitalizations, and whether maldigestion and malabsorption require dietary restriction and pancreatic enzyme supplementation. Note (1) requires appropriate diagnostic studies to confirm that the abdominal pain results from pancreatitis.
VA Rating Tiers
How the VA Evaluates Pancreatitis, Chronic
DC 7347 provides three evaluations and nothing below 30 percent. Thirty percent is at least one episode per year of abdominal or mid-back pain that requires ongoing outpatient medical treatment for pain, digestive problems, or management of related complications including but not limited to cyst, pseudocyst, intestinal obstruction, or ascites. Sixty percent is three or more episodes of abdominal or mid-back pain per year with at least one episode per year requiring hospitalization, either for complications related to the abdominal pain or for complications of tube enteral feeding. One hundred percent is daily episodes of abdominal or mid-back pain that require three or more hospitalizations per year, together with pain management by a physician and with maldigestion and malabsorption requiring dietary restriction and pancreatic enzyme supplementation. The criteria are counted, not graded by general severity. Two notes sit alongside the table. Note (1): "Appropriate diagnostic studies must confirm that abdominal pain in this condition results from pancreatitis." Note (2): "Separately rate endocrine dysfunction resulting in diabetes due to pancreatic insufficiency under DC 7913 (Diabetes mellitus)."
Approval outlook
Low–Moderate (~35%), improves with ER visits or imaging.
Veterans service-connected
~1,100 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~60%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Imaging of the pancreas together with whatever diagnostic studies confirm that the abdominal pain results from pancreatitis — Note (1) makes that confirmation a precondition and does not name a particular study.
- •Dated hospital admission records for every pancreatitis-related stay, since hospitalization is a named element at both 60 and 100 percent.
- •Outpatient treatment notes covering pain, digestive problems, or management of complications such as cyst, pseudocyst, intestinal obstruction or ascites, which is what the 30 percent row names.
- •Records of pancreatic enzyme supplementation and prescribed dietary restriction, both of which the 100 percent evaluation requires alongside maldigestion and malabsorption.
Strategy Tips
- •Count and date every episode of abdominal or mid-back pain, and make sure each one appears in the record. The 60 percent row requires three or more episodes per year, and the 100 percent row requires daily episodes, so an uncounted episode cannot support either.
- •Keep every hospitalization record. Hospitalization is a named element at both 60 and 100 percent — at least one per year at 60 percent, three or more per year at 100 percent.
- •Get pancreatic enzyme supplementation and dietary restriction documented if you need them, since maldigestion and malabsorption requiring both is a required element of the 100 percent evaluation.
- •Claim diabetes arising from pancreatic insufficiency separately under DC 7913 — Note (2) directs a separate evaluation rather than folding it in.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Hospital stays that appear in the record but are never tied to the pancreatitis diagnosis, leaving the counted hospitalizations at 60 and 100 percent unsupported.
- •Abdominal pain documented without the diagnostic studies Note (1) requires to confirm that the pain results from pancreatitis.
- •Episodes managed at home or elsewhere and never entered in the file, so the yearly count the criteria depend on is incomplete.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Describing pain in general terms rather than as counted, dated episodes, which is the form the current criteria require.
- •No diagnostic studies tying the abdominal pain to pancreatitis, which Note (1) makes a precondition.
- •Leaving hospital admissions unlinked to the pancreatitis diagnosis in the record.
Onset Patterns
- •Chronic pancreatitis is commonly linked to alcohol use, gallstone-related complications, a prior infection, or an underlying autoimmune condition.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Pancreatitis, Chronic. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common questions about Pancreatitis, Chronic
- Is Pancreatitis, Chronic a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Pancreatitis, Chronic under VASRD diagnostic code 7347 (Digestive System). Chronic pancreatitis is long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that causes recurring abdominal or mid-back pain and, as the gland fails, difficulty digesting and absorbing food. DC 7347 provides three evaluations — 30, 60…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Pancreatitis, Chronic?
- Possible VA ratings for Pancreatitis, Chronic are 100%, 60%, 30%. Examples: 100%: Daily pain, three or more hospitalizations a year, and enzyme supplementation; 60%: Three or more painful episodes a year, at least one needing hospitalization; 30%: At least one painful episode a year needing ongoing outpatient treatmen…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Pancreatitis, Chronic?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Pancreatitis, Chronic at around 60%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 1,100 veterans are service-connected for Pancreatitis, Chronic. Estimated approval outlook: Low–Moderate (~35%), improves with ER visits or imaging.
- What evidence helps prove Pancreatitis, Chronic for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Pancreatitis, Chronic claim includes: Imaging of the pancreas together with whatever diagnostic studies confirm that the abdominal pain results from pancreatitis — Note (1) makes that confirmation a precondition and does not name a particular study.; Dated hospital admission records for every pan…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Pancreatitis, Chronic?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Pancreatitis, Chronic: Describing pain in general terms rather than as counted, dated episodes, which is the form the current criteria require.; No diagnostic studies tying the abdominal pain to pancreatitis, which Note (1) makes a precondition.; Leaving hospital admissions unlinked to…
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Pancreatitis, Chronic?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Pancreatitis, Chronic include: Diabetes, Malnutrition, Weight loss. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114 — Schedule of ratings — digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7347)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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