YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Ulcerative Colitis VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Ulcerative Colitis under diagnostic code 7323, 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 Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that inflames and ulcerates the lining of the colon, causing recurring diarrhea, abdominal pain and often rectal bleeding. DC 7323 carries no criteria of its own — the schedule directs "Rate as Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease (DC 7326)." That table grades the disease on the class of medication needed to manage it, how many episodes of diarrhea occur per day, and whether there are signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia or anemia.
DC 7323 carries no criteria of its own: the entry reads "Rate as Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease (DC 7326)." DC 7326's four evaluations each combine three things — the class of treatment the disease requires, the number of daily episodes of diarrhea, and whether signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia or anemia are present. Ten percent is minimal to mild symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease managed with oral or topical agents other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents, with recurrent abdominal pain, three or fewer daily episodes of diarrhea, and no signs of systemic toxicity. Thirty percent is mild to moderate disease managed with oral and topical agents other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents, with recurrent abdominal pain, three or fewer daily episodes of diarrhea, and minimal signs of toxicity. Sixty percent is 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. One hundred percent is severe disease unresponsive to treatment that requires hospitalization at least once per year and results either in an inability to work or in 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) to DC 7326 requires diagnoses under that code to be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies. Note (1) provides 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.
- Diagnostic code
- 7323
- 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
Ulcerative Colitis VA rating criteria (DC 7323)
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 Ulcerative Colitis
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 Ulcerative Colitis 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 Ulcerative Colitis?
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 Ulcerative Colitis 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 claim4 tips
- 01
Get the medication class into the record explicitly. The line between 30 and 60 percent is whether the disease is managed with oral and topical agents or with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents, so the drug and its class matter more than a general note that treatment is ongoing.
- 02
Have the daily count of diarrhea episodes recorded — three or fewer, four to five, or six or more — since every tier of DC 7326 is written around that number.
- 03
Make sure fever, tachycardia or anemia are documented when they occur, and that any hospitalization for the disease is in the file. Signs of toxicity separate 10 from 30 and 30 from 60 percent, and hospitalization at least once per year is an element of the 100 percent evaluation.
- 04
Note (2) to DC 7326 asks for confirmation by endoscopy or radiologic studies — either one satisfies it, so a radiologic study is not a lesser form of proof here.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind3 tips
- 01
An examination that records the diagnosis but not the class of medication being used, which leaves the 30/60 percent line undecided.
- 02
Diarrhea described as "frequent" rather than counted per day, when the criteria grade three or fewer, four to five, and six or more daily episodes.
- 03
Flares managed at home and never entered in the record, so neither the daily episode counts nor any signs of toxicity appear in the file.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Not submitting scope (colonoscopy) results, which are the core diagnostic evidence for this condition.
- 02
Failing to describe how often flare-ups occur and how they affect daily function, since frequency and severity, not just the diagnosis, determine which rating tier applies.
When symptoms may first appear2 tips
- 01
Ulcerative colitis often first appears in early adulthood, which can put initial onset during or shortly after military service for many veterans.
- 02
Symptoms tend to worsen over time and can be triggered or intensified by stress or diet, which is useful to note since it can explain fluctuations in your flare-up history.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Ulcerative Colitis by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate – often approved with active treatment history.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~95,000 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 Ulcerative Colitis
Is Ulcerative Colitis a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Ulcerative Colitis under VASRD diagnostic code 7323 (Digestive System). Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that inflames and ulcerates the lining of the colon, causing recurring diarrhea, abdominal pain and often rectal bleeding. DC 7323 carries no criteria of its own — the schedule directs "Rate as Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease (DC 7326)." That table grades the disease on the class of medication needed to manage it, how many episodes of diarrhea occur per day, and whether there are signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia or anemia.
What VA disability rating can I get for Ulcerative Colitis?
Possible VA ratings for Ulcerative Colitis 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's the typical VA rating awarded for Ulcerative Colitis?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Ulcerative Colitis at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 95,000 veterans are service-connected for Ulcerative Colitis. Estimated approval outlook: 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 biopsy results confirming the diagnosis; Documentation of flare-ups, including any ER visits or hospitalizations during active episodes; Specialist (gastroenterologist) notes tracking bowel symptoms and treatment response over time.
Which DBQ is used for Ulcerative Colitis?
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 Ulcerative Colitis?
Common pitfalls when filing for Ulcerative Colitis: Not submitting scope (colonoscopy) results, which are the core diagnostic evidence for this condition; Failing to describe how often flare-ups occur and how they affect daily function, since frequency and severity, not just the diagnosis, determine which rating tier applies.
What conditions can be secondary to Ulcerative Colitis?
Conditions that can be service-connected as secondary to Ulcerative Colitis, when a medical opinion links them, include: Depression. A secondary condition gets its own rating, which VA combines with the veteran's other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114, Schedule of ratings, digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7323)
- 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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