The exam form
The examiner fills out VA's "Intestinal Conditions" form (a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ). See the form on VA.gov
Form version checked: Updated on 2024-07-05 (v24_1).
What the exam is for
The exam records your IBS diagnosis. Most of all, it records how often you've had belly pain tied to bowel movements over the last three months, and which other bowel symptoms you have. If you served in the Gulf War region on or after August 2, 1990, note that IBS is on VA's list of Gulf War illnesses.
What the examiner will ask and measure
- Your diagnosis: IBS, or a related problem called a functional digestive disorder. Examples are functional bloating, diarrhea, constipation, belly pain or vomiting.
- How your IBS started and changed over time.
- Whether your treatment plan includes medicine you take every day for it, and which medicines.
- Belly pain tied to bowel movements: how often it happened in the last three months. The choices are none, at least once, at least three days a month, or at least one day a week.
- Other symptoms: changes in how often you go, changes in your stool, straining or a sudden need to go (urgency), and mucus in your stool (mucorrhea). Also bloating, or a swollen feeling in your belly (subjective distention).
- For a related functional disorder: symptoms such as belly pain, a full feeling, bloating, nausea, vomiting, food coming back up, constipation or diarrhea. Also treatment, such as a prescribed diet or repeated emergency care.
- Tests, if you've had them: endoscopy (a look inside with a thin camera), CT or MRI scans, biopsy, and blood counts. If your past tests show how you are now, new ones aren't required.
- How your IBS affects work tasks.
Be ready to describe
- When your symptoms started, and how they've changed.
- How many days a week or month you've had belly pain tied to bowel movements over the last three months. Your symptom log helps.
- Which other symptoms you have: changes in how often you go or what your stool is like, straining, urgency, mucus, bloating, or a swollen feeling.
- Medicines you take for IBS, how often you take them, and any side effects.
- How IBS affects work and daily life, such as rushing to the bathroom at work or canceling plans.
Common mistakes
- Counting only diarrhea or constipation. VA's IBS levels count days of belly pain tied to bowel movements, plus the other symptoms.
- Guessing how often the pain happens. Keep track for a few months before the exam if you can.
- Leaving out symptoms that feel embarrassing, such as urgency or mucus in your stool. The exam form asks about both.
- Describing only how you feel with medicine.
How VA rates it
VA rates IBS on how often you had belly pain tied to bowel movements during the last three months. Every level also needs at least two other bowel symptoms. VA changed its rules for digestive conditions in May 2024. If you also have certain other digestive conditions, VA gives one rating instead of separate ones.
In plain English
- The other symptoms: every level needs belly pain related to bowel movements (defecation). It also needs two or more of these: (1) a change in how often you have bowel movements, (2) a change in stool form, (3) a change in how stool passes (straining, urgency or both), (4) mucus in the stool (mucorrhea), (5) belly bloating, or (6) a feeling that your belly is swollen (subjective distension).
- 10%: Belly pain related to bowel movements at least once during the previous three months, plus two or more of the symptoms above.
- 20%: Belly pain related to bowel movements for at least three days a month during the previous three months, plus two or more of the symptoms above.
- 30%: Belly pain related to bowel movements at least one day a week during the previous three months, plus two or more of the symptoms above.
- Related conditions: this code may also cover functional digestive disorders, such as indigestion (dyspepsia), functional bloating and constipation, and diarrhea. VA rates their other symptoms that this code doesn't cover under other codes, such as gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome.
- IBS with some other digestive conditions: VA doesn't combine an IBS rating with ratings for certain other digestive conditions, such as hiatal hernia, peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis or celiac disease. It gives one rating under the condition that best fits your overall problem, and can raise it one level if your overall disability is severe enough.
The regulation, word for word
Quoted from 38 CFR Part 4 (current as of October 16, 2026). This is what VA applies. The plain-English version above is our summary of it.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|
| 7319 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): | |
| Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension | 30 |
| Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension | 20 |
| Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension | 10 |
| 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. | |
Related
About every C&P exam
What is it?
After you file a claim, VA may ask you to have a claim exam, also called a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. It helps VA decide whether your condition is connected to your service, and how severe it is. It isn't treatment: the examiner won't treat you, prescribe medicine or refer you to anyone.
Who does it?
A VA provider or a provider from one of VA's exam contractors (Loyal Source, OptumServe, QTC or VES). VA picks; you can't choose. Hearing, mental health, eye and dental exams are done by specialists. For a reproductive, breast, rectal or mental health exam, or a claim related to military sexual trauma, you can ask for a male or female examiner.
How long does it take?
VA says anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending on what you claimed. Some exams are by phone or video. If you claimed more than one condition, VA tries to schedule them on the same day.
Does the examiner decide my claim?
No. The examiner writes a report on a standard form (a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ) and sends it to VA. VA decides your claim using all the evidence: the report, your medical and service records, and statements from you and others. The examiner can't tell you the results or answer questions about your claim.
Does everyone get one?
No. If your records already have what VA needs, VA can decide from the records alone (VA calls this Acceptable Clinical Evidence, or ACE).
What if I can't make it?
Call the number on your appointment letter at least 48 hours ahead to reschedule. Missing an exam delays your claim. VA may decide your claim on the evidence it already has, and some claims, such as a claim for an increase, are denied (38 CFR 3.655). If you had a good reason, such as being in the hospital or a death in your family, tell VA and ask for a new exam.
What should I bring?
VA says you don't need to bring anything. Send any new medical records to VA before the exam, because the examiner can't send them in for you. Arrive 15 minutes early and wear clothes you can move in. Many veterans find it helps to bring a short list of their symptoms, medicines and side effects, and key dates, so nothing is forgotten.
Can someone come with me?
You can ask the examiner. They may ask family members or caregivers to wait outside. For a sensitive physical exam, you can ask for a chaperone in the room.
Can I get a copy of the report?
Yes. Ask VA with a Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act request (VA Form 20-10206). VetEZ Claim can help you fill it out and send it.
Can my own doctor fill out the form instead?
For many conditions, yes. VA publishes the exam forms (DBQs) your own doctor can fill out and you can send in. VA doesn't pay for this. A few exam forms are for VA's own examiners.
Checked against VA's forms and rules on October 20, 2026. General information only, not medical or legal advice about your claim. VA decides every claim.
