Chronic Radiation Enteritis

DC 7328Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7328

Bowel damage from radiation therapy that causes long-lasting digestive problems. Radiation used to treat cancer can injure the lining of the intestines, leading to chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and trouble absorbing nutrients. The VA rates this condition based on how severe and frequent your symptoms are.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on the type, severity, and frequency of your symptoms. The examiner will evaluate your specific symptoms and how they affect your daily life and ability to work.

Diagnostic code

DC 7328

Rating range

10% – 60%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7328. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

You have severe radiation enteritis with constant diarrhea, significant malabsorption, weight loss, and marked nutritional deficiencies despite treatment. You may have had bowel surgeries or hospitalizations.

What the VA looks for

Constant or near-constant diarrhea
Significant malabsorption documented on testing
Marked weight loss and malnutrition
Anemia from nutritional deficiency
Bowel strictures or surgeries from radiation damage
Hospitalizations for dehydration or bowel obstruction

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not establishing the link between radiation therapy and current bowel symptoms — medical records showing the radiation field, dose, and timing are essential to prove the bowel damage came from treatment.
⚠Not documenting nutritional impact with lab work — blood tests showing vitamin deficiencies, anemia, and low albumin prove the severity of malabsorption from radiation damage.
⚠Not tracking symptom frequency with a daily diary — the VA rating depends on how often you have diarrhea and abdominal pain, so a written log helps the examiner rate the condition accurately.
⚠Not claiming the condition as secondary to a service-connected cancer — if the cancer that required radiation therapy is already service-connected, the enteritis should be filed as a secondary condition.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Intestinal Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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

Chronic Radiation Enteritis

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on the type, severity, and frequency of your symptoms. The examiner will evaluate your specific symptoms and how they affect your daily life and ability to work.

Diagnostic code

DC 7328

Rating range

10% – 60%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Constant or near-constant diarrhea
Significant malabsorption documented on testing
Marked weight loss and malnutrition
Anemia from nutritional deficiency
Bowel strictures or surgeries from radiation damage
Hospitalizations for dehydration or bowel obstruction

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not establishing the link between radiation therapy and current bowel symptoms — medical records showing the radiation field, dose, and timing are essential to prove the bowel damage came from treatment.

⚠Not documenting nutritional impact with lab work — blood tests showing vitamin deficiencies, anemia, and low albumin prove the severity of malabsorption from radiation damage.

⚠Not tracking symptom frequency with a daily diary — the VA rating depends on how often you have diarrhea and abdominal pain, so a written log helps the examiner rate the condition accurately.

⚠Not claiming the condition as secondary to a service-connected cancer — if the cancer that required radiation therapy is already service-connected, the enteritis should be filed as a secondary condition.