VASRD 7323 · Digestive System

Ulcerative Colitis VA Disability Rating

Chronic bowel condition causing diarrhea, blood in stool, and stomach cramps.

VA Rating Tiers

RatingCriteria
100%Severe symptoms with major health decline
60%Frequent painful flare-ups with weight loss
30%Symptoms come and go regularly
10%Occasional digestive problems

How the VA Evaluates Ulcerative Colitis

Diagnosis by colonoscopy or biopsy, and treatment history showing frequency and severity.

Approval rate

Moderate – often approved with active treatment history.

Annual service-connected

95,000 veterans

Average rating

30%

Best Evidence to Gather

  • •GI records including colonoscopy and lab results
  • •Flare-up documentation and ER visits
  • •Specialist notes on bowel symptoms

Strategy Tips

  • •Track flare-ups and symptoms with a journal
  • •Submit GI workup and medication history
  • •Explain how it affects work or social life

C&P Exam Pitfalls

  • •Only submitting self-report without colonoscopy or biopsy
  • •Undocumented flare-ups

Common Filing Mistakes

  • •Not submitting scope results
  • •Failing to describe frequency or impact of symptoms

Onset Patterns

  • •Often starts in early adulthood
  • •Worsens over time with stress or poor diet

Secondary Conditions

Conditions commonly linked to Ulcerative Colitis. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.

  • Anemia

    Chronic blood loss

  • Depression

    Linked to long-term chronic illness

Common questions about Ulcerative Colitis

Is Ulcerative Colitis a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Ulcerative Colitis under VASRD diagnostic code 7323 (Digestive System). Chronic bowel condition causing diarrhea, blood in stool, and stomach cramps.
What VA disability rating can I get for Ulcerative Colitis?
Possible VA ratings for Ulcerative Colitis are 100%, 60%, 30%, 10%. Examples: 100% — Severe symptoms with major health decline; 60% — Frequent painful flare-ups with weight loss; 30% — Symptoms come and go regularly.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Ulcerative Colitis?
The average awarded rating for Ulcerative Colitis is 30%. Roughly 95,000 veterans are service-connected for Ulcerative Colitis each year. Typical approval likelihood: Moderate – often approved with active treatment history..
What evidence helps prove Ulcerative Colitis for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Ulcerative Colitis claim includes: GI records including colonoscopy and lab results; Flare-up documentation and ER visits; Specialist notes on bowel symptoms.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Ulcerative Colitis?
Common pitfalls when filing for Ulcerative Colitis: Not submitting scope results; Failing to describe frequency or impact of symptoms.
What conditions are commonly secondary to Ulcerative Colitis?
Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Ulcerative Colitis include: Anemia, Depression. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.

Estimate your combined rating

See how Ulcerative Colitis combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.

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