VA Disability Ratings for IBS

According to the most recent report from the VA, more than 230,000 veterans are receiving VA disability benefits for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you suffer from IBS and believe that your condition may be service-connected, here’s what you need to know about how the VA rates IBS.

Of course, ratings are just one piece of the puzzle. The first step is to demonstrate that your IBS is service-connected or there is a secondary connection. An experienced VA disability benefits advocate can help you put together the strongest claim possible. If you’ve already been denied, a veterans benefits advocate can help you choose the right path to appeal and gather the evidence you need to fight the denial.

To learn more about how Disabled Vets can help, call 888-373-4722 right now.

Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for IBS

There are just three possible VA disability ratings for IBS. Here are the three possible ratings, the requirements to qualify for each rating, and the benefits available to a veteran with each rating.

Disability Rating	When This Rating is Assigned for IBS	Benefits at this VA Disability Rating Level
0% VA Disability Rating	The condition is mild, and involves only occasional episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress.	Medical care for the service-connected condition, including prescription drugs. (If income limits are met) Travel allowance for medical appointments. 10 point hiring preference. Commissary and Exchange privileges. *No monthly monetary benefits available.
10% VA Disability Rating	The condition is moderate, and is characterized by frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress.	Medical care for the service-connected condition, including prescription drugs. (If income limits are met) Travel allowance for medical appointments. 10 point hiring preference. Commissary and Exchange privileges. Waiver of VA funding fee for home loan. Burial and plot allowance. In 2025, a monthly monetary benefit of $175.51.
30% VA Disability Rating	The condition is severe, and is characterized by more or less constant abdominal distress with either diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation.	Medical care (typically Priority Group II). Prescription drug coverage for service-connected conditions. Travel allowance for medical appointments. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services. 10 point hiring preference. Commissary and Exchange privileges. Waiver of VA funding fee for home loan. Burial and plot allowance. In 2025, a monthly monetary benefit of $537.42 plus additional monetary benefits for eligible dependents.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

VA Disability Rating for IBS with Other Conditions

The VA disability ratings above are for IBS alone. However, some veterans who suffer from service-connected irritable bowel syndrome also have additional service-connected conditions. In some cases, IBS itself may be secondary to another service-connected condition.

In that situation, the veteran will typically be assigned a single disability rating that is derived by combining the individual rating for each condition. Here’s an example of how that works:

Jack has a 30% VA disability rating for service-connected IBS and a 10% rating for service-connected migraines.

To combine these disability ratings, the VA will first subtract the first rating (30%) from 100%. That leaves 70% to work with.

Next, the VA will apply the second disability rating (10%) to that remaining 70%. .70 x .10 = .07, or 7%.

The first disability rating (30%) and the result of the calculation for the second condition (7%) are added together for a total of 37%.

Since all VA disability ratings are in increments of 10, that result is rounded to the nearest 10% for a combined VA disability rating of 40%.

When to Pursue VA Benefits for IBS

To receive one of the disability ratings above for IBS, the veteran will first have to show that they have a current diagnosis of IBS. Next, they will have to show that the IBS either started during their military service or was caused or aggravated by an event or exposure during military service.

Most veterans will have to prove this link through a combination of evidence such as medical records, a letter from a doctor explaining why the condition is likely service connected, and statements from people in the veteran’s life or who served with the veteran. The best combination of evidence will depend on the specifics of your case. Working with an experienced VA disability benefits advocate from the start can help ensure that you understand exactly what type of evidence is required and submit the strongest claim possible.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Presumptive Service Connections for IBS

The circumstances in which a veteran’s IBS may be presumed service connected are limited. Some Gulf War veterans are entitled to a presumption of service connection for functional gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is also presumed service connected if the veteran was a prisoner of war (POW) for at least 30 days.

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Get the Help you Need with Your Claim for IBS

When you file a claim for VA disability, whether for IBS or any other condition, it is your responsibility to prove that you suffer from the condition and that the condition is service connected. It is also up to you to show the severity of your symptoms in order to ensure that you receive the appropriate VA disability rating. That’s important, since the type of benefits you receive and the amount of monetary compensation available will depend on your VA disability rating.

For the same reason, it’s important to make sure you have identified all possible service-connected conditions. The maximum possible VA disability rating for IBS alone is 30%, but a combination of conditions can lead to a higher rating and more extensive benefits.

Disabled Vets Can Help

At Disabled Vets, our VA-accredited advocates have a solid understanding of the VA claim and appeals processes and the type of evidence necessary to establish your claim and support the highest possible disability rating. Every day, our team puts their skills and knowledge to work to help veterans and their families secure the benefits they deserve.

To learn more about how we can help with your VA disability claim or appeal, call 888-373-4722 or fill out our contact form HERE.