Diverticulitis — 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 Diverticulitis
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 Diverticulitis — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Diverticulitis, 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 Diverticulitis
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7327 (diverticulitis and diverticulosis). Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Asymptomatic; or symptomatic diverticulitis or diverticulosis managed by diet and medication.
Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis one or more times in the past 12 months, without hemorrhage, obstruction, abscess, peritonitis, or perforation.
Diverticular disease requiring hospitalization for abdominal distress, fever, and leukocytosis one or more times in the past 12 months, with at least one complication: hemorrhage, obstruction, abscess, peritonitis, or perforation.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Diverticulitis raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
20%
New monthly
$357
Change
+$357
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 Diverticulitis 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.
International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 2022 · nexus to NSAID/aspirin use for service-connected musculoskeletal pain · PMID 35094111
Finding: Meta-analysis of 13 studies found NSAID use was associated with markedly higher odds of diverticular bleeding (OR 6.90, 95% CI 3.86-12.35) and complicated diverticulitis (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.73-5.68); aspirin showed similar elevated risk (DB OR 2.84; complicated diverticulitis OR 1.49).
Why it helps: Many veterans take long-term NSAIDs or aspirin to manage service-connected joint, back, and musculoskeletal pain. This meta-analysis supports an association between those medications and serious diverticular complications, useful for a secondary-service-connection theory.
Gastroenterology, 2018 · nexus to obesity / weight gain (often linked to musculoskeletal limitation or psychiatric medication) · PMID 29614301
Finding: Prospective cohort of 46,079 women (1,084 incident diverticulitis cases) found women with BMI >=35 had a 42% higher risk of diverticulitis (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.08-1.85), and adults gaining >=20 kg since age 18 had a 73% increased risk.
Why it helps: Veterans frequently gain weight when service-connected joint/back conditions limit activity or when psychiatric medications drive weight gain. This cohort supports an association between obesity and weight gain and incident diverticulitis, relevant to a secondary claim.
Colorectal Disease, 2017 · PMID 28556447
Finding: Pooled analysis of prospective studies (6,076 incident cases among 385,291 participants) found current smokers had a 36% higher risk of diverticular disease (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.15-1.61) and ever-smokers 29% higher (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.44), with evidence of increased complications and a dose-response trend.
Why it helps: Tobacco use initiated or sustained during military service is a recognized basis for service-connection theories. This meta-analysis supports an association between smoking and both diverticular disease and its complications.
International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 2021 · nexus to depression and anxiety claimed as secondary TO diverticular disease · PMID 33937941
Finding: Matched cohort of 61,556 patients with diverticular disease vs. 61,556 without found higher 5-year incidence of depression (14.0% vs 10.6%, HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.29-1.39) and anxiety disorders (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.46-1.64), plus higher antidepressant prescription rates.
Why it helps: Supports a reverse secondary theory: a veteran with established diverticular disease developing depression or anxiety may link those mental-health conditions to the chronic GI disease. The authors recommend routine screening for these disorders.
- Diverticulosis and DiverticulitisSecondary
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2016 · nexus to corticosteroids, opioids, and NSAIDs used for service-connected conditions · PMID 27156370
Finding: This clinical review identifies the established risk factors for developing diverticulitis as obesity, smoking, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and opiates, while fiber may be protective.
Why it helps: A concise authoritative source naming the medication classes (NSAIDs, corticosteroids, opioids) commonly prescribed for service-connected pain, respiratory, and inflammatory conditions as risk factors for diverticulitis, supporting medication-based secondary theories.
Current Problems in Surgery, 2020 · nexus to opioids, steroids, NSAIDs, aspirin, and sedentary lifestyle · PMID 33077029
Finding: Comprehensive review states that besides increasing age, risk factors for diverticular disease include use of NSAIDs, aspirin, steroids, opioids, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle; lifetime risk of diverticulitis among those with diverticulosis is estimated at 10-25% (more recent estimates ~5%).
Why it helps: Reinforces that opioids, steroids, and a sedentary lifestyle, all common consequences of service-connected pain and mobility-limiting conditions, are recognized risk factors, supporting a secondary-service-connection argument.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, 2019 · nexus to irritable bowel syndrome (overlapping functional GI disease) · PMID 30407258
Finding: Review reports epidemiologic and pathophysiologic evidence that an episode of acute diverticulitis can lead to de novo development of IBS, and that symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease overlaps substantially with IBS symptoms (more frequent, severe pain).
Why it helps: Functional GI disorders like IBS are frequently service-connected (e.g., deployment-related). This review supports a bidirectional link, helping connect overlapping IBS and diverticular symptoms in a veteran's GI claim.
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 Diverticulitis
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Diverticulitis. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Diverticulitis as a Secondary Condition
Diverticulitis is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Diverticulitisclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Diverticulitis should also be looking at:
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Draft your Diverticulitis 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.
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
More free tools
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.