What happens during a C&P exam for Gastrointestinal Cancer?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Gastrointestinal Cancer

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Gastrointestinal Cancer?

Gastrointestinal Cancer (DC 7343) is rated at 100% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7343. A 100-percent evaluation shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e). If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.

Q: What rates 100% for Gastrointestinal Cancer under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7343?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7343 (DC 7343), a 100% rating for Gastrointestinal Cancer requires: A 100-percent evaluation shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e). If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Gastrointestinal Cancer VA claim?

Key evidence for a Gastrointestinal Cancer claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 734338 C.F.R. § 4.114

Diagnostic Code

DC 7343

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Rating Range

100–100%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Gastrointestinal Cancer is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7343 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7343 across 1 severity tier (100%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract including esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. Rated 100% during active disease. Presumptive under the PACT Act for burn pit and post-9/11 veterans.

Rating Criteria

100%

A 100-percent evaluation shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e). If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.114 (Digestive system). Source verified 2026-05-17 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.114 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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