Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia
The VA rates Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia under Diagnostic Code 7346 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 7346 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 80%
- Rating tiers
- 5
- CFR section
- § 4.114, DC 7346
- 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 Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications Note: Effective May 19, 2024 (89 FR 19735), DC 7346 covers hiatal and paraesophageal hernia and is rated as esophageal stricture under the DC 7203 criteria (0/10/30/50/80, maximum 80 percent). GERD is no longer rated under this code for claims received on or after May 19, 2024; it has its own code, DC 7206. HISTORICAL: claims received before May 19, 2024 used the former DC 7346 criteria (60 percent maximum): 60 percent for "pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health"; 30 percent for "persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health"; 10 percent for two or more of the 30 percent symptoms of less severity. GERD was rated by analogy under those criteria. For claims pending across that date, the former criteria govern earlier periods; from May 19, 2024 forward VA applies whichever version is more favorable, and an increase under the new criteria cannot be effective before May 19, 2024. |
| 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) Note: 80 percent is the maximum for hiatal/paraesophageal hernia under current law (rated as DC 7203; 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). HISTORICAL: for claims received before May 19, 2024, the former DC 7346 maximum was 60 percent, defined as "Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health." |
“Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year”
Common Questions About Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia?
The VA rates Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia under Diagnostic Code 7346 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 Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia?
The VA rates Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7346, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7346. 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 Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia?
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 Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 80% rating for Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia 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 Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia?
The key evidence for Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia 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 Hiatal Hernia and Paraesophageal Hernia?
The C&P examiner uses a Digestive System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7346 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.
Get a Personalized Rating Analysis
VeteranHQ evaluates your symptoms against the exact 38 CFR criteria, identifies secondary conditions, and shows what evidence you need to support a higher rating.
Discover Your Benefits