Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7319
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Secondary to Ventral Hernia
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) when it develops after Ventral Hernia.
Why Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Is Linked to Ventral Hernia
Stretch and pressure on tissue
Primary condition · VASRD 7339
Ventral Hernia
A ventral hernia is a bulge through a weakness in the abdominal wall, most often at a prior surgical incision site, where abdominal tissue pushes through weakened muscle. It's rated primarily on size and how well it's controlled with a support belt, similar in structure to how inguinal hernias are rated.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7319
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A chronic condition causing abdominal discomfort, bloating, and frequent diarrhea and/or constipation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ventral Hernia — severity of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
20% Ventral Hernia + 10% Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) = 28%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 20% and 10% combine to 28%, not 30%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Secondary Claim
- •A GI specialist's diagnosis, since IBS is typically diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through specialist evaluation.
- •A documented history of symptoms over time, showing the frequency and pattern the rating tiers are based on.
- •Your Gulf War or Southwest Asia deployment history, if applicable, to support presumptive service connection.
Common questions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) secondary to Ventral Hernia
- Can Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) be service-connected as secondary to Ventral Hernia?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Stretch and pressure on tissue You'll need a current Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Vent…
- What VA rating can I get for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as a secondary condition?
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7319 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 30%, 10%, 0%. The rating depends on the severity of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) itself, not on the severity of Ventral Hernia.
- How does a secondary Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 20% rating for Ventral Hernia combined with a 10% rating for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (example figures) produces a combined rating of 28%, not 30%. Approving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as secondary still typical…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as secondary to Ventral Hernia?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) diagnosis includes: A GI specialist's diagnosis, since IBS is typically diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through specialist evaluation.; A documented history of symptoms over time, showing the frequency and pattern the rating tiers are based on.…
Primary condition
Full Ventral Hernia guide
Secondary condition
Full Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Ventral Hernia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
Open the calculator