Celiac Disease

DC 7319Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7319

An autoimmune disorder where eating gluten damages the lining of your small intestine, causing digestive problems and trouble absorbing nutrients. The VA rates celiac disease by analogy to irritable colon syndrome, based on how often you have bowel problems and abdominal distress.

Rating Levels

You have severe celiac disease with diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress. This is the maximum rating for celiac disease under this code.

What the VA looks for

Diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation
More or less constant abdominal distress
Significant impact on daily activities and work
Nutritional deficiencies documented on lab work
Weight loss or malabsorption despite strict gluten-free diet

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a confirmed diagnosis through small intestine biopsy or positive blood tests (tTG-IgA, EMA) — the VA needs objective proof of celiac disease, not just a self-reported gluten sensitivity.
⚠Not keeping a symptom diary that tracks bowel disturbances, abdominal pain, and flare-ups — the rating depends on how often these happen.
⚠Not documenting that symptoms continue even with a strict gluten-free diet — if diet alone controls your symptoms, you may only get 0%.
⚠Missing secondary conditions like anemia, osteoporosis, peripheral neuropathy, or depression that are common with celiac disease and may warrant separate ratings.
⚠Not connecting celiac disease to service — document dietary conditions during deployment or when symptoms first appeared during or after military service.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Intestinal Conditions (Other Than Surgical or Infectious)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Celiac Disease

Rating Levels

You have severe celiac disease with diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress. This is the maximum rating for celiac disease under this code.

What the VA looks for

Diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation
More or less constant abdominal distress
Significant impact on daily activities and work
Nutritional deficiencies documented on lab work
Weight loss or malabsorption despite strict gluten-free diet

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a confirmed diagnosis through small intestine biopsy or positive blood tests (tTG-IgA, EMA) — the VA needs objective proof of celiac disease, not just a self-reported gluten sensitivity.

⚠Not keeping a symptom diary that tracks bowel disturbances, abdominal pain, and flare-ups — the rating depends on how often these happen.

⚠Not documenting that symptoms continue even with a strict gluten-free diet — if diet alone controls your symptoms, you may only get 0%.

⚠Missing secondary conditions like anemia, osteoporosis, peripheral neuropathy, or depression that are common with celiac disease and may warrant separate ratings.

⚠Not connecting celiac disease to service — document dietary conditions during deployment or when symptoms first appeared during or after military service.