Digestive

DC 7318

Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), complications of (such as strictures and biliary leaks)

Educational use only. Not legal or medical advice. Read 38 CFR §4.114 on eCFR
Diagnostic Code
7318
CFR Section
§4.114 — Digestive

Rating Tiers

30%

With recurrent abdominal pain (post-prandial or nocturnal); and chronic diarrhea characterized by three or more watery bowel movements per day

10%

With intermittent abdominal pain; and diarrhea characterized by one to two watery bowel movements per day

What Raters Look For

Based on M21-1 adjudication criteria for Digestive conditions. These are the factors a VA rater evaluates when assigning a rating percentage.

M21-1 III.iv.4.D
  • •Weight loss — documented weight changes in treatment records
  • •Frequency and severity of symptoms: pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • •Dietary restrictions required due to the condition
  • •Need for surgical intervention, feeding tubes, or colostomy
  • •Imaging and endoscopy findings (scope reports, biopsy results)
  • •Hepatic function if liver disease is involved: bilirubin, albumin, INR, Child-Pugh score