Gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome — VA Diagnostic Code 7356

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.

38 CFR § 4.114 opens with: “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.” DC 7356 is inside 7355 through 7357. DC 7319 is inside 7301 through 7329. Both are in that list.

The DC 7319 note says: “Note: This diagnostic code may include functional digestive disorders (see § 3.317 of this chapter), such as dyspepsia, functional bloating and constipation, and diarrhea. Evaluate other symptoms of a functional digestive disorder not encompassed by this diagnostic code under the appropriate diagnostic code, to include gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome (DC 7356), following the general principles of § 4.14 and this section.” That note uses “functional digestive disorders.” The DC 7356 note uses “illnesses associated with § 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(3).” They are different sentences. DC 7319’s note names DC 7356. DC 7356’s note names DC 7319.

38 CFR § 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(3) is “Functional gastrointestinal disorders (excluding structural gastrointestinal diseases).” The note to that paragraph says functional gastrointestinal disorders are a group of conditions characterized by chronic or recurrent symptoms that are unexplained by any structural, endoscopic, laboratory, or other objective signs of injury or disease and may be related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It lists, as examples and not a closed list, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, functional vomiting, functional constipation, functional bloating, functional abdominal pain syndrome, and functional dysphagia. The DC 7356 note points at that paragraph. It does not reprint the list. The 10 percent cell says “without evidence of a structural gastrointestinal disease.” Paragraph (B)(3) says “excluding structural gastrointestinal diseases.” Those are the printed phrases.

38 CFR § 4.112(d)(1) says total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or hyperalimentation is a special liquid mixture given into the blood through an intravenous catheter, and that TPN bypasses the normal digestion in the stomach and bowel. Paragraph (d)(2) says assisted enteral nutrition requires a special liquid mixture to be delivered into the stomach or bowel through a flexible feeding tube. The 80 and 50 percent cells say “tube feeding.” They do not use the defined term “assisted enteral nutrition.”

38 CFR § 4.113 says certain coexisting abdominal diseases, as indicated in the instruction under the digestive-system title, do not lend themselves to distinct and separate disability evaluations without violating the pyramiding principle in § 4.14. The instruction is the do-not-combine sentence quoted above.

DC 7355 is celiac disease, at 80, 50, and 30, with its own confirmation note and a malabsorption comparison to DC 7328. DC 7357 is post pancreatectomy syndrome and says to evaluate under other named codes, whichever provides the highest evaluation. Those are not DC 7356 lines.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “dysmotility.” This page does not add DC 7356 to a § 3.309 row. The DC 7356 note is the sentence that names § 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(3).

Source: 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7356, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.