- Diagnostic Code
- 7332
- CFR Section
- §4.114 — Digestive
Rating Tiers
Complete loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is not responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per day, which requires changing a pad two or more times per day
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is partially responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires either surgery or digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per week, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per week
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires digital stimulation, medication (beyond laxative use), and special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids two or more times per month, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per month
Complete or partial loss of sphincter control characterized by incontinence or retention that is fully responsive to a physician-prescribed bowel program and requires medication or special diet; or incontinence to solids and/or liquids at least once every six months, which requires wearing a pad at least once every six months
History of loss of sphincter control, currently asymptomatic
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