What secondary conditions are linked to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

Common secondary conditions for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease include Asthma, Chronic Cough, Chronic Laryngitis, Dental Erosion, Sleep Disturbance. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

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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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (DC 7203) is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 80% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria). Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.

Q: What rates 0% for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 0% rating for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease requires: Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.

Q: What rates 10% for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 10% rating for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease requires: Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia, otherwise asymptomatic.

Q: What rates 30% for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 30% rating for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease requires: Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.

Q: What rates 50% for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 50% rating for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease requires: Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following: (1) dilatation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement.

Q: What rates 80% for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 80% rating for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease requires: Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the following: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a), and treatment with either surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).

Q: What evidence do I need for a Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease VA claim?

Key evidence for a Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease 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 720338 C.F.R. § 4.114

Diagnostic Code

DC 7203

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Rating Range

0–80%

5 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7203 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for GERD per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) across 5 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 50% / 80%). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Asthma or Chronic Cough under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

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

Overview

Chronic backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus causing heartburn, regurgitation, and tissue damage

Rating Criteria

Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.

10%

Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia, otherwise asymptomatic.

30%

Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.

50%

Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following: (1) dilatation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement.

80%

Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the following: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a), and treatment with either surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).

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.

05Secondary Conditions

AsthmaMODERATE

Acid aspiration irritates airways; vagal reflex

Chronic CoughMODERATE

Acid irritation triggers cough reflex

Chronic LaryngitisMODERATE

Acid reflux damages vocal cords

Dental ErosionMODERATE

Stomach acid damages tooth enamel

Sleep DisturbanceMODERATE

Nighttime reflux disrupts sleep

Barretts EsophagusMODERATE

Chronic acid exposure causes precancerous changes

Esophageal StrictureMODERATE

Chronic inflammation causes scarring and narrowing

Esophageal CancerMODERATE

Long-term Barretts esophagus increases cancer risk

Chronic SinusitisMODERATE

Acid reflux can reach and irritate sinuses

PneumoniaMODERATE

Aspiration of gastric contents

LaryngitisMODERATE

Acid damages vocal cords

Sleep DisordersMODERATE

Nocturnal reflux disrupts sleep

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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