Gynecological Conditions Rating Guide

The Rules That Decide Every Gynecological Claim

Conditions of the female reproductive system are rated under 38 CFR § 4.116. The codes differ from one condition to the next, but a small set of shared ideas decides most claims. Learn these and the individual rating tables make sense.

1. Many conditions are rated on whether treatment controls the symptoms

A large part of this section turns on one question: does continuous treatment control the symptoms? A condition that requires continuous treatment, or that is not controlled by continuous treatment, is rated higher than one that is well managed. That makes the treatment record, whether treatment is ongoing and whether it actually holds the symptoms in check, the center of many of these claims.

2. Removal or loss of a reproductive organ has set ratings and can bring extra compensation

When a reproductive organ is removed or lost, the schedule assigns set ratings for that loss. On top of the schedular rating, some organ losses qualify for special monthly compensation (SMC) for the loss of a creative organ. That extra payment is separate from and added to the regular rating, and it is easy to miss.

3. Each condition has its own code and scale within the section

Conditions like endometriosis, uterine and ovarian disorders, and pelvic conditions each have their own diagnostic code and their own rating scale inside 38 CFR § 4.116. There is no single number that covers the whole system, so the exact levels depend on the specific condition.

4. Symptoms of another condition are rated under their own codes

As with other body systems, symptoms that a mental-health or other condition produces are rated under their own codes, not folded into the gynecological rating. That separation matters, because it is what lets a related condition, such as depression tied to chronic pain, be claimed and rated on its own.

Find the Guide for Your Condition

The rules above apply across the board. This body system does not yet have a dedicated per-condition guide, so the directory below routes you to the closest related guide and to the condition lookup page for the exact numbers:

For endometriosis, uterine, ovarian, and other conditions, open the condition lookup page for the rating levels and Board data.

Common Secondary Conditions

Gynecological conditions rarely stand alone. Because they can flow from another disability, or drive one, several secondary claims are common:

• Conditions secondary to another disability. A gynecological condition can arise as secondary to another service-connected condition or to its treatment.
• Mental health from chronic pain or infertility. Depression or anxiety secondary to chronic pelvic pain or to infertility can be claimed as secondary to the physical condition.
• Special monthly compensation for organ loss. The loss of a reproductive organ can support special monthly compensation for the loss of a creative organ, separate from the schedular rating.
• Conditions following cancer treatment. Conditions that follow gynecological cancer treatment can be claimed in their own right. See secondary conditions.

Evidence That Wins

• Gynecological treatment records showing whether treatment is continuous and whether it controls the symptoms, the point many of these ratings turn on.
• Surgical records for any organ removal, documenting what was removed and when.
• Documentation supporting an SMC claim for the loss of a reproductive organ, so the special monthly compensation is considered alongside the schedular rating.
• The matching DBQ for the condition, which prompts the examiner to capture the findings the rating depends on. See the DBQ guide.

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions