Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen, irritated veins inside the rectum (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external). The VA rates this condition in its digestive system rules under 38 CFR 4.114, using diagnostic code 7336, titled "Hemorrhoids, external or internal." To be paid for hemorrhoids, the VA first has to agree the condition is connected to your military service, and then it measures how severe the condition is to set a percentage. Remember that a denial is a starting point, not the end — there are review and appeal options if you disagree with a decision.

The VA sets the rating by your symptoms, not by a doctor's clinical "grade." Under the current rules, a 20% rating applies to internal or external hemorrhoids with persistent bleeding and anemia, or to continuously prolapsed internal hemorrhoids with three or more episodes of thrombosis (clots) per year. A 10% rating applies to prolapsed internal hemorrhoids with two or fewer episodes of thrombosis per year, or to external hemorrhoids with three or more episodes of thrombosis per year. These criteria were updated effective May 19, 2024, and the old 0% (noncompensable) level was removed from the code itself because the VA found the old wording too vague. Even so, the VA can still assign a 0% rating using 38 CFR 4.31 when the symptoms don't meet the 10% level, and a 0% condition can still count toward a possible 10% rating when you have two or more 0% conditions under 38 CFR 3.324.

Hemorrhoids are not part of the special toxic-exposure presumptive lists (such as Agent Orange, burn pits/PACT Act, or Camp Lejeune), so the rating rules here focus on the condition itself rather than an exposure shortcut. Because of that, hemorrhoids are generally connected to service in a direct way (the condition began in or is linked to service) or in a secondary way (caused or worsened by another service-connected condition, such as a chronic bowel problem). Good medical records showing your specific symptoms — bleeding, anemia, prolapse, and any thrombosis episodes — are what the VA matches against the rating criteria above.

This is educational information about how the VA's rules generally work; it is not legal advice and not a VA decision about your individual claim.