Chronic Enterocolitis

DC 7325Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7325 (rated as DC 7326, or DC 7319 if predominantly functional)

Chronic inflammation of the small intestine and colon causing persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and nutritional problems. This includes chronic infectious enterocolitis and non-specific chronic enterocolitis. As of May 19, 2024, DC 7325 (chronic enteritis) is rated as inflammatory bowel disease under DC 7326 — or, when the predominant disability is functional, as irritable bowel syndrome under DC 7319. The IBD criteria below turn on the treatment your disease requires (oral/topical medications versus immunosuppressants or biologic agents), how many episodes of diarrhea you have per day, and signs of toxicity (fever, rapid heart rate, anemia). For claims pending before May 19, 2024, the VA must apply whichever is more favorable.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on the type and intensity of treatment you require. Higher ratings correspond to more aggressive treatment regimens, such as daily medication, insulin dependence, or the need for ongoing medical management.

Diagnostic code

DC 7325

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7325 (rated as DC 7326, or DC 7319 if predominantly functional). 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 disease that does not respond to treatment, requires hospitalization at least once a year, and either makes you unable to work or causes recurrent abdominal pain with at least two of: six or more episodes of diarrhea per day, six or more episodes of rectal bleeding per day, recurrent loss of bowel control, or recurrent abdominal distension.

What the VA looks for

Unresponsive to treatment; hospitalization at least once per year
Inability to work, OR recurrent abdominal pain with 2+ of: 6+ diarrhea/day, 6+ rectal bleeding/day, recurrent incontinence, recurrent distension

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting stool studies and colonoscopy to document the diagnosis — the VA needs objective evidence of chronic intestinal inflammation, not just a report of frequent diarrhea.
⚠Not documenting your treatment type and daily diarrhea count — under DC 7326 the rating turns on whether you are managed with oral/topical agents (10-30%) versus immunosuppressants or biologic agents (60%), plus how many episodes of diarrhea you have per day and any signs of toxicity.
⚠Not connecting enterocolitis to service — common nexus pathways include infections contracted during deployment, contaminated water exposure (Camp Lejeune), or secondary to immunosuppressive medication for service-connected conditions.
⚠If your predominant problem is functional (IBS-like) rather than inflammatory, ask whether rating under DC 7319 (irritable bowel syndrome) is more favorable; if your claim was pending before May 19, 2024, the old criteria may also apply.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Intestinal Conditions (Other Than Surgical or Infectious)

See secondary conditions →

Related Conditions

Conditions commonly associated with Chronic Enterocolitis or rated under the same body system.

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

DC 7206·Digestive

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Hepatitis C

Crohn's Disease

Hemorrhoids

Ulcerative Colitis

Hiatal Hernia

Liver Cirrhosis

Condition Rating Guides

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

Chronic Enterocolitis

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 7325

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Unresponsive to treatment; hospitalization at least once per year
Inability to work, OR recurrent abdominal pain with 2+ of: 6+ diarrhea/day, 6+ rectal bleeding/day, recurrent incontinence, recurrent distension

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting stool studies and colonoscopy to document the diagnosis — the VA needs objective evidence of chronic intestinal inflammation, not just a report of frequent diarrhea.

⚠Not documenting your treatment type and daily diarrhea count — under DC 7326 the rating turns on whether you are managed with oral/topical agents (10-30%) versus immunosuppressants or biologic agents (60%), plus how many episodes of diarrhea you have per day and any signs of toxicity.

⚠Not connecting enterocolitis to service — common nexus pathways include infections contracted during deployment, contaminated water exposure (Camp Lejeune), or secondary to immunosuppressive medication for service-connected conditions.

⚠If your predominant problem is functional (IBS-like) rather than inflammatory, ask whether rating under DC 7319 (irritable bowel syndrome) is more favorable; if your claim was pending before May 19, 2024, the old criteria may also apply.