YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control under diagnostic code 7332, in 38 CFR § 4.114 (digestive system), and the schedule provides five evaluation levels for it: 100%, 60%, 30%, 10% and 0%.
Free · No account needed
Save your Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control guide
Email yourself this Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control guide so the rating criteria, evidence checklist, and preparation tips are easy to find later.
A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control
Loss of control over bowel movements, possibly causing leakage or incontinence.
The Note to DC 7332 defines what is being rated: complete or partial loss of sphincter control "refers to the inability to retain or expel stool at an appropriate time and place" — so retention counts here, not only leakage. Each of the four compensable evaluations can be met by either of two routes. The first turns on a physician-prescribed bowel program: complete or partial loss of sphincter control with incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to that program and requires medication or special diet is 10 percent; fully responsive but requiring digital stimulation, medication beyond laxative use, and special diet is 30 percent; only partially responsive and requiring either surgery or digital stimulation, medication beyond laxative use, and special diet is 60 percent; and complete loss of sphincter control, not responsive to the program at all, with that same treatment requirement, is 100 percent. The second route counts incontinence to solids and/or liquids and the pad use it forces: at least once every six months, requiring a pad at least once every six months, is 10 percent; two or more times per month is 30 percent; two or more times per week is 60 percent; and two or more times per day, requiring a pad changed two or more times per day, is 100 percent. A history of loss of sphincter control that is currently asymptomatic is 0 percent.
- Diagnostic code
- 7332
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.114
- Schedule levels
- 100%, 60%, 30%, 10% and 0%
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.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control VA rating criteria (DC 7332)
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 Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control
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: Complete or partial loss of sphincter control refers to the inability to retain or expel stool at an appropriate time and place.”DC 7332
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control 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 Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control?
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 Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control 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 claim3 tips
- 01
Describe the frequency of accidents in clear, specific detail rather than general terms, since the rating tiers are built around exactly how often and how severe the episodes are.
- 02
Submit pad or protective garment purchase records if available, since ongoing use of these products is concrete evidence of the functional impact.
- 03
Consider including a statement from a spouse or close family member describing the observed impact, since third-party observation can help substantiate a condition that's easy to underreport.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Symptoms that go undocumented because they weren't raised during routine visits, which leaves no supporting record for the claim.
- 02
Not having any third-party observation or supporting statement, especially for a condition that can be difficult to fully capture during a single clinical exam.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Not mentioning daily pad use if applicable, since this detail is direct evidence of ongoing functional impact.
- 02
Minimizing the severity of symptoms out of embarrassment, which can result in a rating well below what the actual impact would support.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
This condition can result from nerve damage, spinal cord issues, or complications following pelvic or rectal surgery, any of which can affect the nerves and muscles controlling the sphincter.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate – higher if pads or severe symptoms are documented.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~32,000 veterans
- Typical rating awarded
- ~30%
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 Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control
Is Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control under VASRD diagnostic code 7332 (Digestive System). Loss of control over bowel movements, possibly causing leakage or incontinence.
What VA disability rating can I get for Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control?
Possible VA ratings for Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control are 100%, 60%, 30%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 100%: Complete loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is not responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per day, which requires changing a pad two or more times per day; 60%: Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is partially responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per week, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per week; 30%: Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per month, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per month.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 32,000 veterans are service-connected for Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate – higher if pads or severe symptoms are documented.
What evidence helps prove Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control claim includes: GI specialist notes documenting the bowel dysfunction and its severity; Evidence of pad or medical brief use for managing leakage; Documented incidents in your medical records over time, showing a consistent pattern rather than an isolated event.
Which DBQ is used for Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control?
VA's Rectum & Anus 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 Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control?
Common pitfalls when filing for Rectum and Anus, Impairment of Sphincter Control: Not mentioning daily pad use if applicable, since this detail is direct evidence of ongoing functional impact; Minimizing the severity of symptoms out of embarrassment, which can result in a rating well below what the actual impact would support.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114, Schedule of ratings, digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7332)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two 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.
VA Calc: Disability Pay
Combine your ratings & see monthly pay on your iPhone · Works offline