Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7206
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Secondary to Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers)
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) when it develops after Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers).
Why Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Is Linked to Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers)
Often co-occurs
Primary condition · VASRD 7304
Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers)
Peptic ulcer disease is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or the upper small intestine, causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes bleeding. DC 7304 is the schedule's peptic ulcer code — the index routes "Ulcer, peptic" here, and DC 7305 and DC 7306 are listed as removed. What sets the percentage is the pattern rather than the diagnosis: how long each episode of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting lasts, how many occurred in the past 12 months, whether daily prescribed medication is required, and whether bleeding, anemia, or surgery has been involved.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7206
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
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.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers) — severity of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) itself determines the percentage.
| 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 |
Example combined rating
20% Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers) + 30% Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) = 44%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 20% and 30% combine to 44%, not 50%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Secondary Claim
- •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).
Common questions about Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) secondary to Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers)
- Can Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) be service-connected as secondary to Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers)?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Often co-occurs You'll need a current Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Peptic Ulce…
- What VA rating can I get for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) as a secondary condition?
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7206 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 80%, 50%, 30%, 10%, 0%. The rating depends on the severity of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) itself, not on the severity of Peptic Ulcer Diseas…
- How does a secondary Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 20% rating for Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers) combined with a 30% rating for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (example figures) produces a combined rating of 44%, not 50%. Approving Ga…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) as secondary to Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers)?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) diagnosis 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 performe…
Primary condition
Full Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, and Marginal Ulcers) guide
Secondary condition
Full Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) guide
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