VASRD 7206 · Digestive System
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) VA Disability Rating
GERD is stomach acid and stomach contents flowing back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation and chest discomfort. DC 7206 has its own criteria table, and what that table measures is not how often heartburn occurs — every step is written around a documented esophageal stricture causing dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and the treatment that stricture requires. Note (1) requires the findings to be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 80% | Aspiration, undernutrition, or big weight loss needing surgery or a feeding tube |
| 50% | Dilation 3+ times a year, steroid dilation yearly, or an esophageal stent |
| 30% | Recurrent narrowing needing dilation no more than twice a year |
| 10% | Daily medicine controls the swallowing trouble; no other symptoms |
| 0% | Documented history, but no daily symptoms and no daily medicine |
How the VA Evaluates Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
DC 7206 is not rated by analogy to hiatal hernia. It carries its own five-step table in § 4.114, and DC 7346 — hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia — carries no criteria at all; that entry reads "Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203)." Every step under 7206 is keyed to documented esophageal stricture and what it takes to treat it: 0 percent for a documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications; 10 percent where stricture requires daily medications to control dysphagia and is otherwise asymptomatic; 30 percent for recurrent stricture causing dysphagia requiring dilatation no more than 2 times per year; 50 percent for recurrent or refractory stricture requiring dilatation 3 or more times per year, dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or esophageal stent placement; and 80 percent for recurrent or refractory stricture causing dysphagia with aspiration, undernutrition, and/or substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a), together with either surgical correction of the stricture(s) or a percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube). Two definitions decide which row applies. Note (4): recurrent stricture is "the inability to maintain target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after the target diameter has been achieved." Note (5): refractory stricture is "the inability to achieve target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals." Note (1) requires findings to be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and Note (3) places a long list of esophagitis conditions under this same code, including "esophagitis due to peptic stricture."
Approval outlook
Moderate – increases with documentation of daily symptoms and lifestyle impact.
Veterans service-connected
~112,000 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~30%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •A barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy report confirming the stricture — Note (1) names these three studies specifically.
- •Dated procedure records for every dilatation, including any performed using steroids, plus placement or operative reports for an esophageal stent, surgical correction, or a percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).
- •Prescription records showing daily medication taken to control dysphagia, which is what the 10 percent row is written around.
- •Weight measurements over time and any documentation of aspiration or undernutrition, since the 80 percent row names those alongside substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a).
Strategy Tips
- •Get the stricture itself documented, and by one of the three studies the code names — barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Note (1) makes that documentation a precondition, and a reflux diagnosis on its own does not satisfy it.
- •Keep a dated record of every dilatation, including whether steroids were used and whether a stent was placed. The 30, 50 and 80 percent steps are separated by how many dilatations occur in a year and by whether a stent, surgical correction or PEG tube was required.
- •Ask that the record state whether the stricture met Note (4)'s definition of recurrent — target diameter not maintained beyond 4 weeks after it was achieved — or Note (5)'s definition of refractory — target diameter not achieved despite no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions at 2-week intervals. Everything from 30 percent up is written around those two words.
- •If daily medication is what controls dysphagia, make sure the prescription record says so; that is what the 10 percent row describes.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •An examination that documents reflux symptoms but never establishes whether an esophageal stricture exists, leaving the criteria nothing to be applied to.
- •A record where dilatations are mentioned but not dated or counted, when the number performed within a year is what separates the 30 and 50 percent rows.
- •Findings taken from a study the code does not name — Note (1) requires barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Filing on the old analogous-to-hiatal-hernia framing. DC 7206 has its own criteria, and DC 7346 simply directs "Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203)", so a claim built on general symptom severity finds no matching row.
- •Submitting a medication history without stating what the medication controls; the 10 percent row is about daily medication to control dysphagia.
- •Leaving procedure history out of the file — dilatation counts per year, steroid dilatation, stent placement, surgical correction and PEG tube placement are the facts every compensable row names.
Onset Patterns
- •Often develops after chronic stress or poor diet
- •Worsens with certain medications (e.g., NSAIDs)
- •Can follow service-related GI trauma or infection
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Sleep Apnea
GERD can cause airway irritation during sleep
Barrett’s Esophagus
Chronic acid exposure damages esophagus lining
Asthma
Stomach acid reflux can irritate airways
Common Among These Military Jobs
Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is frequently claimed.
Common questions about Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) under VASRD diagnostic code 7206 (Digestive System). GERD is stomach acid and stomach contents flowing back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation and chest discomfort. DC 7206 has its own criteria table, and what that table measures is not how…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
- Possible VA ratings for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) are 80%, 50%, 30%, 10%, 0%. Examples: 80%: Aspiration, undernutrition, or big weight loss needing surgery or a feeding tube; 50%: Dilation 3+ times a year, steroid dilation yearly, or an esophageal stent; 30%: Recurrent narrowing needing dilation no more t…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 112,000 veterans are service-connected for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Estimated approval outlook: Moderate – increases with documentation of…
- What evidence helps prove Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) claim includes: A barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy report confirming the stricture — Note (1) names these three studies specifically.; Dated procedure records for every dilatation, including any performed using steroids,…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Filing on the old analogous-to-hiatal-hernia framing. DC 7206 has its own criteria, and DC 7346 simply directs "Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203)", so a claim built on general symptom severity finds no matching row.; Submitting a medicatio…
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) include: Sleep Apnea, Barrett’s Esophagus, Asthma. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114 — Schedule of ratings — digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7206)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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