VA Disability Rating for GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is diagnostic code 7206 in 38 CFR 4.114. VA added this code effective May 19, 2024. The criteria below are the current schedule.

Current rating criteria (DC 7206)

DC 7206 criteria and 2026 monthly pay, veteran alone
Rating	Criteria in 38 CFR 4.114	2026 monthly, veteran alone
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 of esophageal stricture(s) or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube)	$2,102.15
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	$1,132.90
30%	Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year	$552.47
10%	Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic	$180.42
0%	Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications	$0.00

A 0% rating has no amount in VA’s compensable tables, which start at 10%. Dependent amounts start at 30%. See the 2026 pay chart and the 50% VA disability page.

Open the calculator with 50% filled in, or 30%, 10%, or 80%. Combine other ratings with VA math.

Notes under DC 7206:

Note (1): Findings must be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Note (2): Non-gastrointestinal complications of procedures should be rated under the appropriate system.
Note (3): This diagnostic code applies, but is not limited to, esophagitis, mechanical or chemical; Mallory Weiss syndrome (bleeding at junction of esophagus and stomach due to tears) due to caustic ingestion of alkali or acid; drug-induced or infectious esophagitis due to Candida, virus, or other organism; idiopathic eosinophilic, or lymphocytic esophagitis; esophagitis due to radiation therapy; esophagitis due to peptic stricture; and any esophageal condition that requires treatment with sclerotherapy.
Note (4): Recurrent esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to maintain target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after the target diameter has been achieved.
Note (5): Refractory esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to achieve target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals.

38 CFR 4.112(a) defines substantial weight loss as involuntary loss greater than 20% of an individual’s baseline weight sustained for three months with diminished quality of self-care or work tasks. Section 4.112(c) defines undernutrition as a deficiency resulting from insufficient intake of one or multiple essential nutrients, or the inability of the body to absorb, utilize, or retain such nutrients. Undernutrition is characterized by failure of the body to maintain normal organ functions and healthy tissues. Signs and symptoms may include loss of subcutaneous tissue, edema, peripheral neuropathy, muscle wasting, weakness, abdominal distention, ascites, and Body Mass Index below normal range.

The May 19, 2024 digestive revision

VA’s final rule of March 20, 2024, 89 FR 19735, is effective May 19, 2024. It added DC 7206. In that rule, VA said it amended the proposal so the evaluation criteria appear under DC 7206 itself, and that “DC 7206 will not be rated by reference to DC 7203.” The same discussion says commenters had described evaluating GERD analogous to DC 7346 (hiatal hernia) under the schedule then in effect. That analogous method is not the current code.

Current DC 7346 says to rate hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). GERD is DC 7206. The two codes use similar stricture language. They are still separate diagnostic codes. DC 7206 is not in the 4.114 list of digestive codes that may not be combined with each other (7301–7329, 7331, 7342, 7345–7350, 7352, and 7355–7357). IBS (DC 7319) is in that list. 38 CFR 4.14 still prohibits evaluating the same manifestation under different diagnoses.

The final rule also says VA did not add criteria for heartburn, regurgitation, and the other symptoms commenters listed. It says functional impairment due to GERD is evaluated based on the degree of esophageal stricture. The table above is the current law.

Sources

38 CFR 4.114, diagnostic codes 7206 and 7346. eCFR title 38 latest issue date August 27, 2026 (up to date as of October 16, 2026). Retrieved October 20, 2026.
38 CFR 4.112, same issue date.
89 FR 19735 (March 20, 2024), effective May 19, 2024.
Pay: VA.gov veteran rates, effective December 1, 2025, checked October 19, 2026.

Last checked October 20, 2026. Estimates only. Not a rating decision.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the highest rating under DC 7206?

The current code tops out at 80%: a documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture causing dysphagia, with aspiration, undernutrition, and/or substantial weight loss as defined in 38 CFR 4.112(a), and treatment with surgical correction of the stricture or a PEG tube. There is no 100% level under DC 7206.

Is GERD still rated as a hiatal hernia?

No. Current DC 7206 has its own criteria. In the March 20, 2024 final rule, VA said DC 7206 will not be rated by reference to DC 7203, and discussed commenters who had described rating GERD analogous to DC 7346. Current DC 7346 rates hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). That is a different code from GERD.

Do heartburn and regurgitation have their own percentages under DC 7206?

The March 20, 2024 final rule says VA did not add evaluation levels for symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, sore throat, nausea, or chest pain. The rule says functional impairment from GERD is evaluated based on the degree of esophageal stricture. The current criteria are the stricture levels in the table.