Can I Get VA Disability for Crohn’s Disease?

A veteran can get VA disability benefits for Crohn’s disease if they can show that the condition is service-connected and symptoms are significant enough to qualify for a VA disability rating. Tying your Crohn’s disease to your military service can be tricky. It’s not presumed service connected, and there are multiple different factors–including genetics–that can contribute to the condition. 

An experienced VA disability benefits advocate can help you determine what type of evidence might be needed to establish a service connection, or whether you may have a secondary service connection based on another service-connected condition. 

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel condition that typically impacts the area where the small intestine meets the large intestine, but may affect a larger area of the bowels. Some common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include: 

• Stomach pain
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stools
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Pus or drainage around the anus
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Sores in the mouth

People with severe Crohn’s disease may have additional symptoms impacting other body systems. 

How Does the VA Rate This Disease? 

Crohn’s disease and undifferentiated forms of inflammatory bowel disease may be rated at 10%, 30%, 60% or 100%. Here’s how the VA assesses a disability rating for Crohn’s disease: 

• A 10% disability rating is assigned if there are minimal to mild symptoms (recurrent abdominal pain with three or fewer daily episodes of diarrhea and no signs of systemic toxicity) and the condition is managed with medication other than immunosuppressants. 
• A 30% disability rating is assigned if there are mild to moderate symptoms (recurrent abdominal pain with three or fewer daily episodes of diarrhea and minimal signs of toxicity) and the condition is managed by medication other than immunosuppressants.
• A 60% disability rating is assigned when the condition is moderate (recurrent abdominal pain, four or five episodes of diarrhea daily and intermittent signs of toxicity).
• A 100% disability rating is assigned for severe Crohn’s disease that does not respond to treatment, requires hospitalization at least once a year, and either results in inability to work or involves at least two of the following:
  • Six or more daily episodes of diarrhea
  • Six or more daily episodes of rectal bleeding
  • Recurrent rectal incontinence
  • Recurrent abdominal distension

Get the Help You Need with Your VA Disability Claim for Crohn’s Disease

Understanding how to establish a service connection for Crohn’s disease and what type of medical evidence is required can make all the difference. Before you take the next step, take the time to learn more about how an experienced VA disability benefits advocate can help. Call 855-855-8992 right now, or fill out our contact form here.

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