38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.114

Crohn's disease — VA Diagnostic Code 7326

Digestive

Diagnostic code

7326

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38 CFR § 4.114 lists Diagnostic Code 7326 as “Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease:”. The rating lines are 100, 60, 30, and 10. Three notes follow. The code does not print a 0 percent line. Appendix B uses the same title, without the colon. The catalog slug is dc-7326-crohn-s-disease-or-undifferentiated-form-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease.

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was last amended on 2026-08-27. On 2026-10-05 the titles list reports up to date as of 2026-10-02, and the 2026-10-02 XML for the sections quoted here matches the 2026-10-01 XML. Section 4.114 source note: 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 34 FR 5063, Mar. 11, 1969; 40 FR 42540, Sept. 15, 1975; 41 FR 11301, Mar. 18, 1976; 66 FR 29488, May 31, 2001; 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024.

The rating criteria at each level

7326 Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
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
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
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
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

Note (1): Following colectomy/colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms, rate either under DC 7326 or DC 7329 (Intestine, large, resection of), whichever provides the highest rating.

Note (2): VA requires diagnoses under DC 7326 to be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies.

Note (3): Inflammation may involve small bowel (ileitis), large bowel (colitis), or inflammation of any component of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.

The four percentage cells do not end with a period. The 100 percent line says “results in either an inability to work or is characterized by.” The 60 percent line says “four to five daily episodes of diarrhea.” The 30 and 10 percent lines both say “three or less daily episodes of diarrhea.”

DC 7326 does not print a 0 percent line. 38 CFR § 4.31 says that in every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

The opening paragraph of 38 CFR § 4.114 includes diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 inclusive. DC 7326 is inside that span. The paragraph says: “Do not combine ratings under diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 inclusive, 7331, 7342, 7345 through 7350 inclusive, 7352, and 7355 through 7357 inclusive, with each other. Instead, when more than one rating is warranted under those diagnostic codes, assign a single evaluation under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture, and elevate it to the next higher evaluation if warranted by the severity of the overall disability.” 38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided, and that the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses is to be avoided.

The 30 percent line says “oral and topical agents.” The 10 percent line says “oral or topical agents.” The 30 percent line says “minimal signs of toxicity.” The 10 percent line says “no signs of systemic toxicity.” The 60 percent line is the line that names immunosuppressants or other biologic agents. The 30 and 10 lines say “other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents.”

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “Crohn” or “7326.” Irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcer disease are different named lines. This page does not add DC 7326 to a presumptive row.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7326, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01. The source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 34 FR 5063, Mar. 11, 1969; 40 FR 42540, Sept. 15, 1975; 41 FR 11301, Mar. 18, 1976; 66 FR 29488, May 31, 2001; 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024.

What the words mean in your records

Either an inability to work or is characterized

That is the grammar of the 100 percent line. It is not rewritten here. The line also requires disease unresponsive to treatment, and hospitalization at least once per year.

And versus or on the medication lines

The 30 percent line says “oral and topical agents.” The 10 percent line says “oral or topical agents.” Both exclude immunosuppressants or other biologic agents.

Ileitis and colitis are examples in Note (3)

Note (3) says inflammation may involve small bowel (ileitis), large bowel (colitis), or any component of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.

Evidence that speaks to each level

100

What the rater needs to see. Severe inflammatory bowel disease unresponsive to treatment, hospitalization at least once per year, and either an inability to work or recurrent abdominal pain with at least two of the four listed findings.

Where that usually lives. Endoscopy or radiologic studies, which Note (2) requires for a diagnosis under this code, plus the hospitalization record.

What the rater needs to see. Moderate disease managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents, recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea, and intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia.

Where that usually lives. The outpatient treatment record naming the agent, and the symptom count.

30 and 10

What the rater needs to see. Both lines say three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and recurrent abdominal pain, managed with agents other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents. The 30 percent line says oral and topical agents and minimal signs of toxicity. The 10 percent line says oral or topical agents and no signs of systemic toxicity.

Where that usually lives. The medication list and the record of fever, tachycardia, or anemia, if those signs are in question.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
100	Severe inflammatory bowel disease unresponsive to treatment, hospitalization at least once per year, and either an inability to work or recurrent abdominal pain with at least two of the four listed findings.	Endoscopy or radiologic studies, which Note (2) requires for a diagnosis under this code, plus the hospitalization record.
60	Moderate disease managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents, recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea, and intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia.	The outpatient treatment record naming the agent, and the symptom count.
30 and 10	Both lines say three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and recurrent abdominal pain, managed with agents other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents. The 30 percent line says oral and topical agents and minimal signs of toxicity. The 10 percent line says oral or topical agents and no signs of systemic toxicity.	The medication list and the record of fever, tachycardia, or anemia, if those signs are in question.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Intestinal Conditions” under Gastrointestinal. The file is Intestinal Conditions.

The exam form

DC 7326 prints 100, 60, 30, and 10. Note (2) requires endoscopy or radiologic studies. This page does not say the intestinal form replaces those lines.

Related codes and how they interact

Two codes point here, and IBS is a different code

DC 7323 is colitis, ulcerative. Its cell says “Rate as Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease (DC 7326).”

DC 7325 is enteritis, chronic. It says to rate as irritable bowel syndrome (DC 7319) or as DC 7326, depending on the predominant disability.

DC 7319 is irritable bowel syndrome. Its lines are 30, 20, and 10. The public page is irritable bowel syndrome. DC 7326 does not print a 20 percent line.

Note (1) names DC 7329, intestine, large, resection of, after colectomy or colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms, and says to use whichever of DC 7326 or DC 7329 provides the highest rating.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not contain “Crohn” or “7326.” This page does not add DC 7326 to a presumptive row.

A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.

Short answers

How does VA rate Crohn's disease under DC 7326?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7326 rates Crohn's disease or undifferentiated inflammatory bowel disease at 100, 60, 30, or 10. Note (2) requires endoscopy or radiologic studies. Note (1) compares this code with DC 7329 after colectomy or colostomy with persistent or recurrent symptoms. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Is ulcerative colitis a separate percentage table?

DC 7323 says to rate colitis, ulcerative, as DC 7326. It does not print its own percentages. Education only.

FAQ

What are the DC 7326 percentages?

100, 60, 30, and 10. There is no 0 percent line on the code. Section 4.31 is the general rule when a code does not provide a zero percent evaluation and the compensable requirements are not met. Education only.

What is the difference between the 30 and 10 percent lines?

Both say three or less daily episodes of diarrhea. The 30 percent line says mild to moderate disease managed with oral and topical agents, and minimal signs of toxicity. The 10 percent line says minimal to mild symptomatic disease managed with oral or topical agents, and no signs of systemic toxicity.

Does DC 7326 print a 20 percent line?

No. The lines are 100, 60, 30, and 10. DC 7319, irritable bowel syndrome, prints 30, 20, and 10.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7326, which percentage line it used, and whether endoscopy or radiologic studies confirmed the diagnosis.
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other digestive codes are on the digestive diagnostic-code index. The category page is digestive conditions.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Digestive, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Digestive codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7326 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.