Barrett's esophagus
The VA rates Barrett's esophagus under Diagnostic Code 7207 across 5 severity levels, from 0% to 80%. At 80%, a veteran with no dependents receives $2,102.15 per month, tax-free (2026 rates); dependents add to that.
Rating schedule — DC 7207 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 80%
- Rating tiers
- 5
- CFR section
- § 4.114, DC 7207
- Body system
- Digestive System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%
Part 4 rating schedule
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Barrett's esophagus?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. Two DC 7207 notes: if malignancy develops, rate as a malignant digestive neoplasm (DC 7343); if the condition is resolved via surgery, radiofrequency ablation, or other treatment, rate residuals as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). Note: DC 7207 (Barrett esophagus) has two active-condition rating pathways under 38 CFR § 4.114 (effective May 19, 2024). WITH esophageal stricture, it is rated as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203) on the 0/10/30/50/80 scale (maximum 80 percent). WITHOUT esophageal stricture, it is rated on dysplasia grade: 10 percent for low-grade dysplasia, 30 percent for high-grade dysplasia. These active-condition pathways are alternatives, not cumulative. The maximum shown, 80 percent, reflects the with-stricture (DC 7203) pathway; the without-stricture dysplasia pathway caps at 30 percent. |
| 10% | Without esophageal stricture: documented by pathologic diagnosis with low-grade dysplasia. With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic |
| 30% | Without esophageal stricture: documented by pathologic diagnosis with high-grade dysplasia. With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year |
| 50% | With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), 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. Without esophageal stricture, the dysplasia-grade pathway does not reach this level |
| 80% | With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (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). Without esophageal stricture, the dysplasia-grade pathway caps at 30 percent Note: 80 percent is the maximum schedular rating for Barrett esophagus, reached only through the with-stricture pathway (rated as DC 7203). The without-stricture dysplasia pathway caps at 30 percent (high-grade dysplasia). The 80 percent criterion reads "surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube)", without the "of esophageal stricture(s)" qualifier that appears only in DC 7206. |
“Without esophageal stricture: documented by pathologic diagnosis with high-grade dysplasia. With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year”
Common Questions About Barrett's esophagus VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Barrett's esophagus?
The VA rates Barrett's esophagus under Diagnostic Code 7207 at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%. The minimum 0% rating requires: With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. Two DC 7207 notes: if malignancy develops, rate as a malignant digestive neoplasm (DC 7343); if the condition is resolved via surgery, radiofrequency ablation, or other treatment, rate residuals as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203).. The maximum 80% rating requires: With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (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). Without esophageal stricture, the dysplasia-grade pathway caps at 30 percent.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Barrett's esophagus?
The VA rates Barrett's esophagus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7207, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7207. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 0% and a 80% rating for Barrett's esophagus?
A 0% rating requires: With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. Two DC 7207 notes: if malignancy develops, rate as a malignant digestive neoplasm (DC 7343); if the condition is resolved via surgery, radiofrequency ablation, or other treatment, rate residuals as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203).. A 80% rating requires: With esophageal stricture: rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203), documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (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). Without esophageal stricture, the dysplasia-grade pathway caps at 30 percent. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Barrett's esophagus qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 80% rating for Barrett's esophagus alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Barrett's esophagus?
The key evidence for Barrett's esophagus is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. Treatment records showing worsening symptoms, functional limitations documented by your provider, and buddy statements describing observable impact on daily life all strengthen the claim. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Barrett's esophagus?
The C&P examiner uses a Digestive System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7207 rating criteria. The examiner documents symptom frequency, severity, and functional impact. Bring all treatment records and describe your worst days, not your best — the VA rates on the full clinical picture across time, not a snapshot of one good day.
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