Reference: 38 CFR 4.114

What is the VA rating for Celiac Disease?

Understand Celiac Disease guidance under DC 7355, a standalone 3-tier malabsorption-syndrome ladder (80/50/30 percent), keyed to symptom severity, dietary management, and nutritional deficiencies, per RSCH-074.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

Under 38 CFR 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7355, VA evaluates Celiac Disease based on malabsorption symptoms, weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic manifestations, ranging from 30 percent to 80 percent.

EXPLORE THIS CONDITION

Explore Celiac Disease Criteria & Tools

Start AssessmentAnswer condition-scoped questions using documented findings from your records or exam notes.ContinuePercentage GuideSee the published percentage tiers and what changes between them.ContinueSecondary ConditionsSee conditions commonly connected to this one in VA claims.Continue

Save this condition to find it again later. Saved only on this device and browser. Never sent to RatingScope. Lost if you clear browser data or switch devices or browsers.

Common Questions & FAQs

Start with your question

What are you trying to understand about celiac disease?

Compare your records in assessmentRead overview

Overview

About this condition

Under 38 CFR 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7355, VA evaluates Celiac Disease based on malabsorption symptoms, weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic manifestations, ranging from 30 percent to 80 percent.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7355

This guide is educational only. RatingScope does not diagnose Celiac Disease, cannot determine service connection, and does not predict a VA decision. Ratings depend strictly on documented symptom severity and objective findings.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

80%

Highest listed pathway

Severe malabsorption with weakness, weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, systemic manifestations, and anemia.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Malabsorption syndrome with weakness which interferes with activities of daily living; and weight loss resulting in wasting and nutritional deficiencies; and with systemic manifestations including but not limited to, weakness and fatigue, dermatitis, lymph node enlargement, hypocalcemia, low vitamin levels; and anemia related to malabsorption; and episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea due to lactase deficiency or pancreatic insufficiency
Qualification explanation
This level applies when celiac disease causes severe malabsorption, resulting in wasting, anemia, and weakness that interferes with daily living.
Medical evidence
Medical records showing severe weight loss/wasting, anemia, and systemic manifestations; Documentation that weakness interferes with daily living

50%

Next: 80% requires weakness interfering with daily living, weight loss causing wasting, and anemia.

Chronic diarrhea managed by diet, with nutritional deficiencies and systemic manifestations.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Malabsorption syndrome with chronic diarrhea managed by medically-prescribed dietary intervention such as prescribed gluten-free diet, with nutritional deficiencies due to lactase and pancreatic insufficiency; and with systemic manifestations including, but not limited to, weakness and fatigue, dermatitis, lymph node enlargement, hypocalcemia, low vitamin levels, or atrophy of the inner intestinal lining shown on biopsy
Qualification explanation
Applies when diarrhea is managed by a gluten-free diet, but nutritional deficiencies and systemic manifestations still persist.
Medical evidence
Records of prescribed gluten-free diet and persisting nutritional deficiencies; Biopsy showing intestinal lining atrophy or lab tests showing low vitamin/calcium levels

30%

Next: 50% requires the presence of nutritional deficiencies and systemic manifestations.

Chronic diarrhea managed by diet, without nutritional deficiencies.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Malabsorption syndrome with chronic diarrhea managed by medically-prescribed dietary intervention such as prescribed gluten-free diet; and without nutritional deficiencies
Qualification explanation
This is the minimum rating for celiac disease, applying when the condition is managed by a gluten-free diet and there are no ongoing nutritional deficiencies.
Medical evidence
Medical records showing celiac disease managed by a prescribed gluten-free diet

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Medical Evidence 1

A confirmed diagnosis of Celiac Disease (Note 1: An appropriate serum antibody test or endoscopy with biopsy must confirm the diagnosis).

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Medical Evidence 2

Medical records detailing the use of a gluten-free diet, presence of nutritional deficiencies, and any systemic manifestations (e.g., anemia, weight loss).

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Official VA Forms & DBQs

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

Take the public DBQ to your private physician or review it prior to your C&P examination.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

Related Conditions

Continue learning through connected topics

Learn More

Continue Understanding

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Celiac Disease

This reflects regulatory and clinical relationships already explained elsewhere on this site. It is not a diagnosis, not a prediction that you have or will develop a connected condition, and not personalized medical or legal advice.

Regulatory relationship

Celiac Disease GERD

GERD and celiac disease are both digestive-system conditions rated under 38 CFR 4.114 and commonly documented together, but each follows its own separate rating schedule.

38 CFR 4.114

View GERD

Keep going

Related Tools

Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.

See all tools

VA Math & Combined Ratings

Understand the whole-person method, final rounding, and bilateral limits, then calculate how percentages combine.

Open VA Math guide

Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

Open Evidence Center