Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is rated under DC 7355 based on the severity of malabsorption, dietary requirements, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic symptoms. It must be diagnosed by serum antibody testing or endoscopy with biopsy.
VA Rating Levels
Malabsorption syndrome with chronic diarrhea managed by a medically prescribed dietary intervention such as a gluten-free diet.
Malabsorption with chronic diarrhea managed by dietary intervention, with nutritional deficiencies due to lactase and pancreatic insufficiency, plus systemic symptoms like weakness, fatigue, dermatitis, enlarged lymph nodes, low calcium, low vitamins, or intestinal lining atrophy on biopsy.
Malabsorption with weakness interfering with daily living, wasting and nutritional deficiencies, systemic symptoms, anemia from malabsorption, and abdominal pain with diarrhea from lactase or pancreatic insufficiency.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →The baseline rating for celiac disease is 30% if you are on a medically prescribed gluten-free diet for malabsorption. Make sure your diet is actually prescribed by a doctor, not just self-directed.
- →A formal diagnosis through serum antibody testing or endoscopy with biopsy is required. Self-reported gluten sensitivity without testing will not be sufficient.
- →If you have nutritional deficiencies, low vitamins, or anemia related to your celiac disease, those support a higher rating. Get regular blood work done to track these.
- →Document how the condition affects your daily life, especially if weakness or fatigue interferes with normal activities. That level of impairment supports the 80% rating.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR 4.114, DC 7355