C&P Exam for Rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter control (DC 7332)

Read the C&P exam preparation guideWhat happens at the exam, what 38 CFR Part 4 requires the examiner to record, and what to bring.
Diagnostic code: 7332Condition: Rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter controlRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.114DBQ: DBQ GI Rectum and Anus

Which form the examiner uses

For rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter control (DC 7332), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What the examiner records

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates rectum and anus conditions including hemorrhoids, anorectal/perianal fistula, rectal or anal stricture, impairment of sphincter control, rectal prolapse, pruritus ani, and neoplasms for VA disability rating purposes.

How DC 7332 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III and XI-XIV of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections IV-X cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

7 of 14 sections apply to DC 7332 on this DBQ
DIAGNOSIS (Section I) MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II) HEMORRHOIDS (Section III) OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section XI) DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section XII) FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section XIII) REMARKS (Section XIV)
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire:
  • 1B. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s) (check all that apply): The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis associated with any claimed condition(s) listed above.
  • Hemorrhoid(s), external or internal ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Anorectal/perianal fistula ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Anorectal/perianal abscess ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Rectal or anal stricture ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Dyssynergic defecation (levator ani) ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Anismus (functional constipation) ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Impairment of sphincter control ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Rectal prolapse ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Pruritus ani (anal itching) ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Benign neoplasm of the anorectal/perianal region ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Malignant neoplasm of the anorectal/perianal region ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Other diagnosis #1: ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Other diagnosis #2: ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Other diagnosis #3: ICD code: Date of diagnosis:
  • 1C. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to rectum or anus conditions, list using above format.
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. Describe the history, including onset and course, of the Veteran's rectum and/or anus condition(s). Brief summary:
  • 2B. Does the Veteran's treatment plan include taking daily prescribed medication for the diagnosed condition(s)?
  • If yes, list only those medications used for the diagnosed condition(s):
HEMORRHOIDS (Section III)
  • 3A. Does the Veteran have hemorrhoid(s)?
  • External
  • Persistent bleeding (external)
  • Anemia (external) (If checked, provide at least a hemoglobin or hematocrit value in the Diagnostic Testing Section).
  • Three or more episodes per year of thrombosis (external)
  • None of the above (external)
  • Other (external)
  • Internal
  • Persistent bleeding (internal)
  • Anemia (internal) (If checked, provide at least a hemoglobin or hematocrit value in the Diagnostic Testing Section).
  • Continuously prolapsed internal hemorrhoids with three or more episodes per year of thrombosis
  • Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids with two or less episodes per year of thrombosis
  • None of the above (internal)
  • Other (internal)
ANORECTAL/PERIANAL FISTULA (Section IV)
  • 4A. Does the Veteran have anorectal/perianal fistula?
  • One fistula - With drainage
  • One fistula - With pain
  • One fistula - With abscess/abscesses
  • Two or more simultaneous fistulas - With drainage
  • Two or more simultaneous fistulas - With pain
  • Two or more simultaneous fistulas - With abscess/abscesses
  • More than two constant or near-constant fistulas - With drainage
  • More than two constant or near-constant fistulas - With pain
  • More than two constant or near-constant fistulas - With abscess/abscesses
  • 4B. Is the fistula refractory to medical and surgical treatment?
RECTAL OR ANAL STRICTURE, INCLUDING DYSSINERGIC DEFECATION (LEVATOR ANI) OR FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION (Section V)
  • 5A. Does the Veteran have rectal or anal stricture, including dyssynergic defecation (levator ani) or functional constipation?
  • Luminal narrowing - Reduction of the lumen by less than 50 percent
  • Luminal narrowing - Reduction of the lumen 50 percent or more
  • Managed by dietary intervention
  • With straining during defecation
  • With pain during defecation
  • Inability to open the anus with inability to expel solid feces
IMPAIRMENT OF SPHINCTER CONTROL (Section VI)
  • 6A. Does the Veteran have impairment of sphincter control?
  • History of loss of sphincter control, currently asymptomatic
  • Complete loss of sphincter control
  • Partial loss of sphincter control
  • 6B. Does the Veteran have incontinence to solids and/or liquids?
  • Less than once every six months, which requires wearing a pad at least once every six months
  • At least once every six months, which requires wearing a pad at least once every six months
  • Two or more times per month, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per month
  • Two or more times per week, which requires wearing a pad two or more times per week
  • Two or more times per day, which requires changing a pad two or more times per day
  • 6C. Does the Veteran have a physician-prescribed bowel program?
  • Fully responsive
  • Partially responsive
  • Not responsive
  • 6D. Indicate the bowel program requirements (Check all that apply): Special diet
  • Medication - If checked, are there prescribed medication(s) beyond laxative use?
  • Digital stimulation
  • Surgery - If checked, provide the date of surgery or anticipated date of surgery:
  • Other, please describe:
RECTAL PROLAPSE (Section VII)
  • 7A. Does the Veteran have rectal prolapse?
  • Spontaneously reducible prolapse
  • Manually reducible prolapse
  • Persistent irreducible prolapse
  • Occurs only after bowel movements, exertion, or while performing the Valsalva maneuver
  • Occurs at times other than bowel movements, exertion, or while performing the Valsalva maneuver
  • Unrepairable or not repairable
  • Repairable
  • Repaired rectal prolapse - If checked provide the date of surgery:
PRURITUS ANI (ANAL ITCHING) (Section VIII)
  • 8A. Does the Veteran have pruritus ani (anal itching)?
  • With bleeding or excoriation
  • Without bleeding or excoriation
EXAMINATION (Section IX)
  • 9A. Provide results of examination of rectal/anal area. Check all that apply.
  • No exam performed for this condition. Provide reason:
  • Normal; no external hemorrhoids, anal fissures or other abnormalities
  • Abnormal, describe:
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section X)
  • 10A. Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section?
  • 10B. Is the neoplasm: Benign / Malignant
  • Active / In remission
  • Primary / Secondary (metastatic) (if secondary, indicate the primary site, if known):
  • 10C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases?
  • Treatment completed
  • Surgery - If checked, describe: / Date(s) of surgery:
  • Radiation therapy - Date of most recent treatment: / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Antineoplastic chemotherapy - Date of most recent treatment: / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Other therapeutic procedure - If checked, describe procedure: / Date of most recent procedure:
  • Other therapeutic treatment - If checked, describe treatment: / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • 10D. Does the Veteran currently have any residuals or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above?
  • If yes, list residuals or complications (brief summary), and also complete the appropriate questionnaire:
  • 10E. If there are additional benign or malignant neoplasms or metastases related to any of the diagnoses in the diagnosis section, describe using the above format:
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section XI)
  • 11A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to any conditions listed in the diagnosis section above?
  • If yes, describe (brief summary):
  • 11B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement (of the skin) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section?
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section XII)
  • 12A. Have clinically relevant laboratory testing been performed or reviewed in conjunction with this examination?
  • Hemoglobin: Date of test: Results:
  • Hematocrit: Date of test: Results:
  • White blood cell count: Date of test: Results:
  • Platelets: Date of test: Results:
  • Other, specify: Date of test: Results:
  • 12B. Have clinically relevant imaging studies or diagnostic procedures been performed or reviewed in conjunction with this examination?
  • If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):
  • 12C. Are there any other clinically relevant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es), that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination?
  • If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):
  • 12D. If any test results are other than normal, indicate relationship of abnormal findings to diagnosed conditions:
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section XIII)
  • 13A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)?
  • If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples:
REMARKS (Section XIV)
  • 14A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).

Rating Levels for DC 7332

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

View the full DC 7332 pageSearch BVA decisions for this codeAbout DBQ forms

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.