VA Disability Ratings Update: Latest Changes for Digestive Problems Explained

VA Disability Ratings Update: In recent months, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has updated the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), focusing on digestive conditions.

Among the alterations, three prominent adjustments will directly impact Veterans. These changes reflect advances in medical treatment and knowledge, aiming to ensure more accurate compensation for Veterans.

“These are just a few of the changes being made to how conditions of the digestive system are rated based on updated medical information,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Josh Jacobs.

“The updates will bring the rating criteria more closely in line with the stated purpose of the rating schedule, which is to provide evaluations based upon average impairment of earning capacity for each and every Veteran.”

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Is there a VA rating for gastrointestinal disability?

There will now be a dedicated rating criteria for celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting gluten processing in the body.

Celiac disease will now be assessed under its own diagnostic code, potentially allowing evaluations ranging from zero to 80 percent.

The rating criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been revised. Instead of limited options, Veterans may now be entitled to evaluations of 10, 20, or 30% based on the frequency of their symptoms.

Last but not least, both internal and external hemorrhoids evaluations have been addressed.

Formerly, mild or moderate cases were evaluated in a zero or limited manner. With the updated criteria, mild or moderate cases will now be evaluated in a 10 percent manner.

These updates will not alter Veterans’ current ratings, and any changes will only be made if disabilities have improved sufficiently. Both old and new criteria will be considered for claims pending before the implementation date, with the more favorable outcome applied.

In order to reflect advances in medical knowledge and treatment, the VA has consistently updated its rating schedule across various body systems since September 2017.

Visit the Federal Register website to learn more about these changes and how they might affect you, or contact VA benefits for assistance.