Chronic Graft-vs-Host Disease

DC 7716Hematologic/Lymphatic38 CFR 4.117, DC 7716

A condition that can happen after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, where the donated cells attack your own body. It can affect your skin, liver, gut, lungs, and other organs. The VA rates graft-vs-host disease based on how many organs are involved and how much it limits your daily life.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 7716

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.117, DC 7716. 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

Your graft-vs-host disease causes severe damage to multiple organs, including lungs or liver failure. You are unable to work and need constant medical care.

What the VA looks for

Severe lung involvement (bronchiolitis obliterans) on PFTs
Hepatic failure or advanced liver fibrosis
Severe sclerodermatous skin changes limiting mobility
Unable to maintain gainful employment
Requires continuous aggressive immunosuppressive therapy

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting every organ system affected — graft-vs-host disease can involve skin, eyes, mouth, liver, lungs, gut, and joints, and each may support a higher rating or separate secondary claim.
⚠Failing to provide pulmonary function test results when lungs are involved — bronchiolitis obliterans is a serious complication that significantly increases the rating.
⚠Not documenting the side effects of immunosuppressive medications — weight gain, diabetes, infections, and bone loss from these drugs can support additional secondary claims.
⚠Not connecting the original transplant to service — if the underlying condition requiring transplant was service-connected, all transplant complications including graft-vs-host disease should be claimed as secondary.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Hematologic and Lymphatic Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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

Chronic Graft-vs-Host Disease

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 7716

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

Your graft-vs-host disease causes severe damage to multiple organs, including lungs or liver failure. You are unable to work and need constant medical care.

What the VA looks for

Severe lung involvement (bronchiolitis obliterans) on PFTs
Hepatic failure or advanced liver fibrosis
Severe sclerodermatous skin changes limiting mobility
Unable to maintain gainful employment
Requires continuous aggressive immunosuppressive therapy

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting every organ system affected — graft-vs-host disease can involve skin, eyes, mouth, liver, lungs, gut, and joints, and each may support a higher rating or separate secondary claim.

⚠Failing to provide pulmonary function test results when lungs are involved — bronchiolitis obliterans is a serious complication that significantly increases the rating.

⚠Not documenting the side effects of immunosuppressive medications — weight gain, diabetes, infections, and bone loss from these drugs can support additional secondary claims.

⚠Not connecting the original transplant to service — if the underlying condition requiring transplant was service-connected, all transplant complications including graft-vs-host disease should be claimed as secondary.