C&P Exam Guide

IBS / Digestive C&P Exam

Beyond GERD, digestive exams cover IBS, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, liver conditions, and hernias. For IBS specifically, the rating hinges on whether episodes are mild, moderate, or severe — and how often you have alternating diarrhea and constipation with abdominal distress. Document the frequency and severity of flare-ups.

DBQ: DBQ - Intestinal Conditions
Exam type: In-person with records review
Typical duration: 20-30 minutes

What the Examiner Looks For

Frequency of digestive episodes per week/month, alternating diarrhea and constipation patterns, abdominal pain frequency, weight changes, nutritional deficiencies, need for continuous medication, incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest, and impact on work attendance.

Related Diagnostic Codes

DC 7301
Peritoneum, adhesions of, due to surgery, trauma, or infection
DC 7305
Condition page not yet available in the database.
DC 7312
Cirrhosis of the liver
DC 7319
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
DC 7323
Colitis, ulcerative
DC 7338
Hernia, including femoral, inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional, and other (but not including hiatal)
DC 7339
Hernia, ventral, postoperative
DC 7345
Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis

General Tips for Every C&P Exam

📝Be honest — do not exaggerate or minimize.
📝Describe your WORST days, not your best.
📝Focus on how the condition impacts your daily life and ability to work.
📝Keep a symptom journal or diary before your exam.
📝Review the DBQ for your condition beforehand.
📝Arrive early and bring all relevant records.
📝You can bring a support person (spouse, friend).
📝The exam is for evaluation, not treatment — do not expect prescriptions.
📝The examiner is not your doctor — they report findings to the VA.
📝If you disagree with the exam results, you can request a new exam.

✅ DO

⚠️ Critical tip
Keep a symptom diary: track episodes, severity, and missed work days.
⚠️ Critical tip
Describe your worst days — how many times you use the bathroom, duration of episodes.
Report any weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, or anemia from your condition.
Mention all medications including OTC ones you take regularly.

❌ DON'T

⚠️ Critical tip
Do not downplay how often symptoms keep you home or near a bathroom.
Do not forget to mention the emotional/social impact — it supports secondary mental health claims.

📋 BRING

GI specialist records, colonoscopy/endoscopy reports.
⚠️ Critical tip
Symptom diary or log with dates and severity.
Records of any hospitalizations or ER visits for GI issues.

🔍 EXPECT

⚠️ Critical tip
Detailed questions about bowel habits — be specific about frequency.
Questions about diet restrictions and weight changes.
Abdominal palpation during physical exam.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal or medical advice. Every veteran's situation is unique. Consider consulting with a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or VA-accredited attorney for personalized guidance.