Chronic Constipation — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Chronic Constipation
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960G-3 (Intestinal Conditions (Other Than Surgical or Infectious)) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Chronic Constipation — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Chronic Constipation, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Chronic Constipation
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7319 (rated by analogy; IBS Note covers functional constipation; severe anismus/dyssynergic defecation rated under DC 7333). Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months, plus two or more of: change in stool frequency, change in stool form, altered stool passage (straining/urgency), mucorrhea, bloating, or subjective distension (rated by analogy to IBS, DC 7319).
Abdominal pain related to defecation at least three days per month over the previous three months, plus two or more of the above symptoms (DC 7319).
Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week over the previous three months, plus two or more of the above symptoms (DC 7319). Severe functional constipation from anismus or dyssynergic defecation may instead be rated under DC 7333, which reaches higher levels.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Chronic Constipation raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Chronic Constipation claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
- Crisis in the gut: navigating gastrointestinal challenges in Gulf War Illness with bioengineeringDirect
Military Medical Research, 2024 · PMID 38978144
Finding: This review of Gulf War Illness (GWI) reports that gastrointestinal motility disorders are highly prevalent among affected veterans and present as chronic constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, and diarrhea that severely impact quality of life. In vivo and in vitro models indicate neuroinflammation alters gut motility and drives these symptoms.
Why it helps: Supports an association between Gulf War service/Gulf War Illness and chronic constipation, useful for a direct service-connection argument in deployed Gulf War-era veterans.
Military Medical Research, 2021 · PMID 34503577
Finding: Veterans with Gulf War Illness commonly report chronic gastrointestinal issues including constipation, pain, and indigestion. Rodent, in vitro, and human cohort studies propose an altered microbiome, a reactive enteric nervous system, and a leaky gut as major drivers of these GI problems.
Why it helps: Adds peer-reviewed support that constipation is part of the documented GI symptom cluster in Gulf War veterans, reinforcing a direct exposure/illness link.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2019 · nexus to PTSD · PMID 30144372
Finding: Meta-analysis of 8 studies (648,375 subjects, most conducted on US Army veterans) found PTSD to be a significant risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome, with a pooled odds ratio of 2.80 (95% CI 2.06-3.54, P < 0.001). IBS frequently presents with constipation-predominant symptoms.
Why it helps: Supports an association between service-connected PTSD and disordered bowel function (including constipation-predominant IBS) via the gut-brain axis, useful for a secondary nexus to PTSD.
British Journal of Nursing, 2016 · nexus to opioid pain medications (musculoskeletal/chronic pain) · PMID 27231750
Finding: Up to 40% of patients taking opioids develop opioid-induced constipation, which can limit adequate pain dosing and reduce quality of life. The review stresses that bowel function should be routinely assessed in patients on opioids.
Why it helps: Supports an association between long-term opioid therapy (commonly prescribed for service-connected musculoskeletal and chronic pain conditions) and constipation, useful for a medication-induced secondary claim.
Pediatric Diabetes, 2013 · nexus to diabetes mellitus · PMID 23627912
Finding: Diabetic autonomic neuropathy affects multiple organ systems with clinical manifestations including gastroparesis, diarrhea, and constipation. Risk factors include longer diabetes duration and poor glycemic control, with subclinical autonomic dysfunction detectable soon after diagnosis.
Why it helps: Supports an association between diabetes (a common service-connected condition, including Agent Orange-presumptive type 2 diabetes) and constipation through autonomic neuropathy, useful for a secondary nexus to diabetes.
Neural Regeneration Research, 2019 · nexus to spinal cord injury / spinal-neurologic conditions · PMID 30531001
Finding: Neurogenic bowel, a slow-transit colonic dysfunction marked by constipation, evacuation difficulties, and decreased anorectal sensation, is one of the most prevalent comorbidities of spinal cord injury and is recognized as a lifelong challenge that profoundly affects quality of life.
Why it helps: Supports an association between spinal cord/neurologic injury and chronic constipation, useful for a secondary nexus to service-connected spinal injuries or radiculopathy affecting bowel control.
- HypothyroidismSecondary
The Lancet, 2017 · nexus to hypothyroidism · PMID 28336049
Finding: Constipation is listed among the most common clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults (along with fatigue, cold intolerance, and weight gain). A substantial proportion of treated patients have persistent complaints despite reaching biochemical treatment targets.
Why it helps: Supports an association between hypothyroidism and constipation, useful where hypothyroidism is service-connected or itself secondary to another service-connected condition.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Chronic Constipation
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Chronic Constipation. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Chronic Constipation as a Secondary Condition
Chronic Constipation is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Chronic Constipationclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Chronic Constipation should also be looking at:
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Draft your Chronic Constipation personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your Chronic Constipation VA Claim
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Chronic Constipation.
Chronic Constipation Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.