VASRD 7337 · Digestive System
Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching) VA Disability Rating
Pruritus ani is itching of the skin around the anus. This code has one dividing line: whether the itching has produced bleeding or excoriation, meaning broken or abraded skin. With bleeding or excoriation the evaluation is 10 percent; without it, 0 percent. Ten percent is the maximum available under this diagnostic code.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Anal itching with bleeding or skin scratched raw. |
| 0% | Anal itching without bleeding or broken skin. |
How the VA Evaluates Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching)
This diagnostic code has only two evaluations and a single objective distinction: pruritus ani with bleeding or excoriation is 10 percent, and pruritus ani without bleeding or excoriation is 0 percent. Nothing in the criteria turns on how often the itching occurs, how intense it is, or what treatment it requires, and the schedule sets no level above 10 percent here. The evaluation therefore rests on whether the perianal skin findings named in the criteria are documented.
Veterans service-connected
~600 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
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
- •An examination note that describes the perianal skin and states whether bleeding or excoriation is present.
- •Dermatology, primary care, or colorectal treatment records covering periods when the skin was broken or bleeding.
- •Notes from more than one visit, since a single examination may not capture the skin findings the criteria name.
Strategy Tips
- •The one finding that separates 10 percent from 0 percent is whether the perianal skin shows bleeding or excoriation, so records that actually describe the skin are what carry the claim.
- •Notes written while the skin is broken are the ones that document the finding the criteria name, since the only distinction the two rows draw is bleeding or excoriation versus none.
- •Ten percent is the ceiling under this code, so this code alone cannot account for any other anorectal condition that is present.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •An examination that records the complaint of itching but says nothing about the condition of the skin, leaving the only finding the criteria use undocumented.
- •Being examined after the skin has healed, with no earlier note in the record documenting bleeding or excoriation when it was present.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Filing on symptom description alone, when the split between 10 percent and 0 percent under this code is an objective skin finding.
- •Not submitting outside dermatology or colorectal records that contain those skin findings when the VA record only notes the complaint.
Onset Patterns
- •The two rows name no cause and no onset history — the only distinction they draw is whether bleeding or excoriation is present — so what the record needs to describe is the condition of the perianal skin rather than when the itching began.
Common questions about Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching)
- Is Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching) under VASRD diagnostic code 7337 (Digestive System). Pruritus ani is itching of the skin around the anus. This code has one dividing line: whether the itching has produced bleeding or excoriation, meaning broken or abraded skin. With bleeding or excoriation the evaluation…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching)?
- Possible VA ratings for Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching) are 10%, 0%. Examples: 10%: Anal itching with bleeding or skin scratched raw.; 0%: Anal itching without bleeding or broken skin..
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching) at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 600 veterans are service-connected for Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching).
- What evidence helps prove Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching) claim includes: An examination note that describes the perianal skin and states whether bleeding or excoriation is present.; Dermatology, primary care, or colorectal treatment records covering periods when the skin was broken or bleeding.; Notes from more than one visi…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching): Filing on symptom description alone, when the split between 10 percent and 0 percent under this code is an objective skin finding.; Not submitting outside dermatology or colorectal records that contain those skin findings when the VA record only notes the co…
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114 — Schedule of ratings — digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7337)
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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