Recently, the VA made a handful of updates to VA disability benefits rating criteria for specific conditions. In case you missed our last two blogs, we already covered updates to GERD and three different gastrointestinal conditions. This week, we're covering updates to irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS for short. This common condition affects many Veterans and can be service-connected with the right criteria and documentation.
Here's what you need to know about IBS and how the VA recently updated VA disability benefit ratings for the condition:
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome, often referred to as IBS for short, is a very common condition that involves the stomach and intestines. The symptoms include stomach cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms are typically chronic, affecting Veterans on a long term basis. It can be triggered by stress, or dietary factors. Since many Veterans experience heightened levels of stress during their time in military service, these mental stressors can lead to physical changes in the body. IBS is one example of that.
Recent VA disability rating updates for IBS
These are the most up-to-date rating criteria for Veterans seeing VA disability benefits for IBS:
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
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
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
This is good news for Veterans seeking benefits for IBS
So, what does this mean? Well, in short: it's good news for Veterans. This rating update is more in favor of increasing the Veteran's rating percentage, giving them more benefits for IBS than they might have previously received. The rating percentages were previously 0, 10, and 30% – and now are 10, 20, 30%.
They've also added more clarity into those rating percentages. Before, it was divided by "mild, moderate, and severe" – but now, it's based off of the Rome IV criteria (which you can review here). Whether direct service connected or secondary, getting VA disability benefits for IBS just became a little bit easier.
Are you preparing to file a VA disability benefits claim?
At MRPY Professional Services, our medical experts are here to assist Veterans with comprehensive medical documentation for VA disability benefits claims. Whether it’s a Nexus Letter, DBQ, chart review, or other professional medical assessment you need (view all of our services here), we’re ready to help. Filing your VA disability benefits claim doesn't have to be complicated.
