38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.117

Splenectomy — VA Diagnostic Code 7706

Hematologic / lymphatic

Diagnostic code

7706

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38 CFR § 4.117 lists Diagnostic Code 7706 as “Splenectomy”. The title does not end with a period. The rating cell is 20. The same note is printed twice, and neither copy ends with a period. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes “Splenectomy.” The catalog slug is dc-7706-splenectomy.

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. Section 4.117 source note: 60 FR 49227, Sept. 22, 1995, as amended at 77 FR 6467, Feb. 8, 2012; 79 FR 2100, Jan. 13, 2014; 83 FR 54254, Oct. 29, 2018; 83 FR 54881, Nov. 1, 2018; 87 FR 61248, Oct. 11, 2022.

The rating criteria at each level

7706 Splenectomy

Rating %: 20

Criteria (verbatim). Splenectomy

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
20	Splenectomy

Note: Separately rate complications such as systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria

The 2026-10-01 table prints that note twice, in two consecutive rows. Neither copy ends with a period. The title “Splenectomy” does not end with a period. Appendix B adds a period.

The only percentage on the row is 20. The note says to separately rate complications such as systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria. It does not name the diagnostic code for those complications. 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 § 4.14 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.

DC 7707 is “Spleen, injury of, healed.” Its cell says “Rate for any residuals.” That sentence is not the DC 7706 note.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “spleen,” “splenectomy,” or “7706.” This page does not add DC 7706 to a presumptive row.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.117, Diagnostic Code 7706, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01. The source note prints 60 FR 49227, Sept. 22, 1995, as amended at 77 FR 6467, Feb. 8, 2012; 79 FR 2100, Jan. 13, 2014; 83 FR 54254, Oct. 29, 2018; 83 FR 54881, Nov. 1, 2018; 87 FR 61248, Oct. 11, 2022.

What the words mean in your records

The note is printed twice

Two consecutive rows each read “Separately rate complications such as systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria” with no period.

20 is the only percentage

The rating cell beside “Splenectomy” is 20. The row does not print 0, 10, 30, or 100.

Appendix B adds a period

The schedule title is “Splenectomy” with no period. Appendix B is “Splenectomy.”

Evidence that speaks to each level

What the rater needs to see. Splenectomy, which is the word in the criteria cell.

Where that usually lives. The operative report or the record that documents removal of the spleen.

Complications rated separately

What the rater needs to see. The note’s example is systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria. The note does not name a diagnostic code for that complication.

Where that usually lives. The infection record, if a separate evaluation is in question, read against the note.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
20	Splenectomy, which is the word in the criteria cell.	The operative report or the record that documents removal of the spleen.
Complications rated separately	The note’s example is systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria. The note does not name a diagnostic code for that complication.	The infection record, if a separate evaluation is in question, read against the note.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Hematologic and Lymphatic Conditions, Including Leukemia” under Hematologic and Lymphatic. The file is Hematologic and Lymphatic Conditions, Including Leukemia.

The exam form

DC 7706 prints 20 and the duplicated note. This page does not say the form replaces that line.

Related codes and how they interact

Healed injury of the spleen is DC 7707

DC 7707 says “Rate for any residuals.” It does not print 20. The 20 percent cell is the splenectomy row.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not contain “spleen,” “splenectomy,” or “7706.” This page does not add DC 7706 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 a splenectomy under DC 7706?

Under 38 CFR § 4.117, Diagnostic Code 7706 rates splenectomy at 20 percent. The note says to separately rate complications such as systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Does the splenectomy title end with a period?

No. Appendix B adds the period. The rating cell is 20.

FAQ

What percentage does DC 7706 print?

20. The criteria cell is “Splenectomy.” The note, printed twice, says to separately rate complications such as systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria. Education only.

Why is the note there twice?

The 2026-10-01 XML prints the same note in two consecutive rows. Neither copy ends with a period. This page does not delete one of them.

Is a healed spleen injury the same row?

No. DC 7707 is “Spleen, injury of, healed.” Its instruction is “Rate for any residuals.”

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7706 and whether a complication was rated separately under the note.
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 codes in this section are on the hematologic and lymphatic diagnostic-code index.

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 Hematologic / lymphatic, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Hematologic / lymphatic codes

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

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7706 • 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.