Gallbladder, injury of (DC 7317)

Body system: Digestive SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.114

Gallbladder injury covers acute and chronic damage to the gallbladder from blunt trauma, penetrating injury, surgical complications, or vascular injury (e.g., bile duct laceration during laparoscopic surgery). The VA does not maintain a stand-alone rating ladder under DC 7317. Instead, 38 CFR § 4.114 directs raters to evaluate the predominant residual using one of three ladders: peritoneal adhesions from surgery or trauma (DC 7301), chronic gallbladder and biliary tract disease (DC 7314), or post-cholecystectomy complications such as biliary strictures and leaks (DC 7318).

Rating levels

  • -1% — Gallbladder injury is rated under one of three ladders depending on which residual dominates the clinical picture. If the dominant problem is abdominal scar tissue or peritoneal adhesions from the injury or its surgical repair, the VA uses DC 7301. If the dominant problem is ongoing inflammation or dysfunction of the gallbladder and biliary tract (right-upper-quadrant pain, jaundice, gallstones, biliary dyskinesia), the VA uses DC 7314. If the gallbladder was removed and the dominant problem is post-cholecystectomy complications (bile duct strictures, biliary leaks, retained stones), the VA uses DC 7318. Read all three ladders and apply the one matching the bigger functional impact.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.