How to Get an IBS Disability Rating from the VA

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may be wondering whether you can receive VA disability for the condition and how IBS is rated. Before you can be assigned an IBS VA rating–or a VA rating for any disability–you must first show that your medical condition is service-connected. 

Most veterans seeking benefits for IBS will have to establish that connection. However, for some Gulf War veterans and former prisoners of war, IBS may be presumed service connected. An experienced VA disability benefits advocate can help you determine whether you qualify for a presumptive service connection.

About IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome can trigger a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including:

• Sharp pain in the abdomen
• Abdominal cramping
• Abdominal bloating
• Gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Mucus in stools

IBS is a chronic condition, but symptoms come and go or ease up and worsen depending on factors such as diet and stress.

IBS VA Rating Options

Your IBS disability rating will be determined based on the rating schedule for irritable colon syndrome. There are only three of these that may be assigned for the condition.

Your IBS disability rating will be: 

• 0% if your condition is considered mild, meaning that you have disturbances of bowel function and occasional abdominal distress. 
• 10% if the condition is considered moderate, meaning that you have frequent episodes of bowel function disturbance and abdominal distress.
• 30% if your condition is considered severe, meaning that you have near constant abdominal distress with diarrhea, constipation, or both.

A 0% IBS disability rating won’t get you monthly monetary benefits, but it will qualify you for VA healthcare services for the service-connected condition. A veteran with a 0% rating also gets a 10 point veterans preference in federal hiring and can take advantage of commissary and exchange privileges. At the 10% level, you’ll get a small monthly monetary benefit–in 2025, it’s $175.51/month, along with the benefits listed above.

At a 30% rating, the monthly monetary benefit is increased to $537.42 and some additional benefits are available, including increased monetary benefits for qualified dependents. 

Combined Disability Ratings

While the IBS VA rating is limited to a maximum of 30%, veterans who suffer from other service-connected or secondary-connected conditions may be able to qualify for a higher combined rating. 

Talk to a VA Disability Benefits Advocate

Determining whether your condition is presumptively service connected, what evidence may be required to establish a service connection, what medical information is needed to secure the maximum possible disability, and whether you should make claims for additional conditions can be complex and confusing. To learn more about how an experienced advocate can help, call 855-855-8992 today or contact us here now.

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