Esophagus, stricture of
The VA rates Esophagus, stricture of under Diagnostic Code 7203 across 5 severity levels, from 0% to 80%. At 80%, veterans receive $3151/month or more in compensation.
Also available: View rating schedule for DC 7203
Rating schedule — DC 7203 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 80%
- Rating tiers
- 5
- CFR section
- § 4.114
- 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 Esophagus, stricture of?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | 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 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) |
“Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year”
Common Questions About Esophagus, stricture of VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Esophagus, stricture of?
The VA rates Esophagus, stricture of under Diagnostic Code 7203 at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%. The minimum 0% rating requires: Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. The maximum 80% rating requires: 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).
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Esophagus, stricture of?
The VA rates Esophagus, stricture of under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7203, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.114. 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 Esophagus, stricture of?
A 0% rating requires: Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. A 80% rating requires: 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). The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Esophagus, stricture of qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 80% rating for Esophagus, stricture of 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 Esophagus, stricture of?
The key evidence for Esophagus, stricture of 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 Esophagus, stricture of?
The C&P examiner uses a Digestive System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7203 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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