Mesenteric Artery Disease

DC 7113Cardiovascular38 CFR 4.104, DC 7113

A condition where the arteries supplying blood to the intestines become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the digestive organs. The VA rates mesenteric artery disease based on symptom severity, weight loss, and the impact on your ability to eat and digest food.

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 7113

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.104, DC 7113. 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 critical mesenteric ischemia with bowel infarction or near-total occlusion of mesenteric arteries. You have severe malabsorption, are dependent on parenteral nutrition, or have had bowel resection resulting in short bowel syndrome.

What the VA looks for

Bowel infarction or ischemic bowel resection
Parenteral nutrition (TPN) dependency
Short bowel syndrome documented
Near-total occlusion on mesenteric angiography
Inability to maintain adequate nutrition orally

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting mesenteric CT angiography — the VA needs objective imaging evidence of arterial stenosis or occlusion. Symptoms alone without imaging are insufficient for rating.
⚠Not documenting weight loss over time — keep a weight log with dates. Progressive weight loss is the strongest indicator of severity for this condition.
⚠Not connecting mesenteric artery disease to other service-connected vascular conditions — atherosclerosis in one vascular bed often affects others. If you have coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease, a nexus to mesenteric disease may be straightforward.
⚠Not requesting nutritional labs — albumin, prealbumin, and vitamin levels can objectively document malnutrition caused by reduced intestinal blood flow.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Artery and Vein Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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Mesenteric Artery Disease

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 7113

Rating range

10% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Bowel infarction or ischemic bowel resection
Parenteral nutrition (TPN) dependency
Short bowel syndrome documented
Near-total occlusion on mesenteric angiography
Inability to maintain adequate nutrition orally

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting mesenteric CT angiography — the VA needs objective imaging evidence of arterial stenosis or occlusion. Symptoms alone without imaging are insufficient for rating.

⚠Not documenting weight loss over time — keep a weight log with dates. Progressive weight loss is the strongest indicator of severity for this condition.

⚠Not connecting mesenteric artery disease to other service-connected vascular conditions — atherosclerosis in one vascular bed often affects others. If you have coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease, a nexus to mesenteric disease may be straightforward.

⚠Not requesting nutritional labs — albumin, prealbumin, and vitamin levels can objectively document malnutrition caused by reduced intestinal blood flow.