Diagnostic Code 7323: Ulcerative Colitis (Rated as Crohn's Disease / IBD) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.114
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Digestive system
The VA rates Ulcerative Colitis (Rated as Crohn's Disease / IBD) under diagnostic code 7323 in 38 CFR § 4.114. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7323 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Minimal to mild symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral or topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and no signs of systemic toxicity What raters look fororal or topical agents other than immunosuppressants or biologics; three or fewer daily episodes of diarrhea; no signs of systemic toxicity |
| 30% | Mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral and topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia What raters look fororal and topical agents other than immunosuppressants or biologics; minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia |
| 60% | Moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents; and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea; and intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia What raters look foroutpatient immunosuppressants or other biologic agents; four to five daily episodes of diarrhea; intermittent signs of toxicity |
| 100% | Severe inflammatory bowel disease that is unresponsive to treatment; and requires hospitalization at least once per year; and results in either an inability to work or is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with at least two of the following: (1) six or more episodes per day of diarrhea, (2) six or more episodes per day of rectal bleeding, (3) recurrent episodes of rectal incontinence, or (4) recurrent abdominal distension What raters look forunresponsive to treatment; hospitalization at least once per year; inability to work or recurrent abdominal pain with two listed features |
DC 7323 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 168 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7323 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 46.4%, denied 36.3% and sent 17.3% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7323 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Ulcerative Colitis. The Ulcerative Colitis condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Ulcerative Colitis appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 506 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Ulcerative Colitis, 2021 to 2026. The Ulcerative Colitis condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Ulcerative Colitis appeals generally rather than DC 7323 specifically. The DC 7323 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7323?
Diagnostic code 7323 is the VA rating schedule entry for Ulcerative Colitis (Rated as Crohn's Disease / IBD), found in 38 CFR § 4.114. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7323?
DC 7323 provides ratings of 10%, 30%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7323 require?
The 100% rating for Ulcerative Colitis requires: Severe inflammatory bowel disease that is unresponsive to treatment; and requires hospitalization at least once per year; and results in either an inability to work or is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with at least two of the following: (1) six or more episodes per day of diarrhea, (2) six or more episodes per day of rectal bleeding, (3) recurrent episodes of rectal incontinence, or (4) recurrent abdominal distension.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7323?
In 163 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7323 from 2021 to 2026, 44.8% were granted, 37.4% denied and 17.8% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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