Intestinal Surgery Residuals (Short Bowel Syndrome)

DC 7328Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7328

Ongoing digestive problems after surgery to remove part of the small intestine, which can cause diarrhea, malabsorption, and difficulty getting enough nutrition from food. The VA rates this condition based on how much the surgery affects your ability to absorb nutrients and maintain your health.

Rating Levels

Your intestinal surgery has caused marked interference with your ability to absorb food and nutrients, resulting in severe health impairment, significant weight loss, and malnutrition.

What the VA looks for

Marked interference with absorption and nutrition
Severe impairment of health documented on examination
Significant weight loss and malnutrition
TPN (total parenteral nutrition) or jejunostomy feeding required
Frequent hospitalizations for dehydration or malnutrition
Severe nutritional deficiencies on lab work

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not obtaining and submitting complete surgical records that document exactly how much intestine was removed — the length of resected bowel directly affects your claim.
⚠Not getting regular lab work showing nutritional deficiencies (B12, folate, iron, vitamin D, albumin) — these objective findings are what separate the 40% and 60% ratings from lower ones.
⚠Not tracking your weight over time with documented weigh-ins at medical appointments — weight loss is a key criterion at the 40% and 60% levels.
⚠Not documenting all treatments for malabsorption including supplements, special diets, TPN, or tube feeding — the type of treatment needed shows the VA how severe your condition is.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions caused by malabsorption, such as anemia, osteoporosis, or peripheral neuropathy from B12 deficiency — these may warrant separate ratings.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Intestinal Conditions (Other Than Surgical or Infectious)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Intestinal Surgery Residuals (Short Bowel Syndrome)

Rating Levels

Your intestinal surgery has caused marked interference with your ability to absorb food and nutrients, resulting in severe health impairment, significant weight loss, and malnutrition.

What the VA looks for

Marked interference with absorption and nutrition
Severe impairment of health documented on examination
Significant weight loss and malnutrition
TPN (total parenteral nutrition) or jejunostomy feeding required
Frequent hospitalizations for dehydration or malnutrition
Severe nutritional deficiencies on lab work

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not obtaining and submitting complete surgical records that document exactly how much intestine was removed — the length of resected bowel directly affects your claim.

⚠Not getting regular lab work showing nutritional deficiencies (B12, folate, iron, vitamin D, albumin) — these objective findings are what separate the 40% and 60% ratings from lower ones.

⚠Not tracking your weight over time with documented weigh-ins at medical appointments — weight loss is a key criterion at the 40% and 60% levels.

⚠Not documenting all treatments for malabsorption including supplements, special diets, TPN, or tube feeding — the type of treatment needed shows the VA how severe your condition is.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions caused by malabsorption, such as anemia, osteoporosis, or peripheral neuropathy from B12 deficiency — these may warrant separate ratings.