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Rating guide · Digestive

Digestive Claims: GERD & IBS Under Today’s Rules

The VA overhauled its digestive ratings in May 2024. GERD now turns on esophageal narrowing, and IBS on how many days a month symptoms hit. Here’s how to approach each.

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GERD criteria
IBS criteria
Gulf War presumptive
Secondary connections

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38 CFR 4.114 · DC 7319

IBS Rating Criteria

Rated on frequency of abdominal pain tied to bowel movements over the previous three months. 2026 pay for a veteran with no dependents.

Current as of October 2026. Also covers functional digestive disorders like dyspepsia, functional bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
30%	Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.	$552.47
20%	Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.	$356.66
10%	Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.	$180.42

38 CFR 4.114 · DC 7206

GERD Rating Criteria

GERD controlled with medication and no documented stricture generally rates 0% under the current rules.

Current as of October 2026. Requires documentation by barium swallow, CT, or upper endoscopy. Existing ratings aren’t reduced just because the rules changed.
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
80%	Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of: aspiration, undernutrition, and/or substantial weight loss, and treatment with either surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s) or a PEG tube.	$2,102.15
50%	Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of: dilatation 3 or more times per year, dilatation using steroids at least once per year, or esophageal stent placement.	$1,132.90
30%	Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.	$552.47
10%	Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia, otherwise asymptomatic.	$180.42
0%	Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.	$0.00

Service connection

How These Conditions Get Connected

Gulf War and post-9/11 service: functional GI disorders, including IBS, are presumptive for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, and in certain other countries since 2001.
Medications: years of anti-inflammatories for a service-connected back or knee can cause GERD.
Mental health: PTSD, anxiety and depression are commonly linked to both conditions with a medical opinion.

For IBS, start a daily symptom calendar now. Three months of entries is exactly what the criteria measure.

FAQ

GERD & IBS VA Rating: Common Questions

Is IBS presumptive for Gulf War veterans?

Yes. Functional gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS, are presumptive under the Gulf War illness rules for veterans with qualifying service.

Why is my GERD rated 0%?

Under the criteria in effect since May 2024, GERD is rated mainly on documented esophageal stricture.

Could the 2024 changes cut my existing rating?

A change in rating criteria alone doesn’t reduce an existing rating.

How do I document IBS frequency?

Keep a daily log for at least three months showing days with abdominal pain related to bowel movements and your other symptoms.

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