Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Diagnostic code 7206

This formula governs the digestive system criteria published in 38 CFR §4.114. The criteria below are quoted from the regulation and are current as of 2026-07-07.

This explains the published rating criteria. It is not a prediction about any veteran’s claim, and only VA decides a rating.

38 CFR §4.114Regulation text current as of 2026-07-07

Published criteria

7206 Gastroesophageal reflux disease:

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)

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

30%Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year

10%Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic

0%Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications

Notes printed with this ladder in the regulation

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.

Related VA rating resources

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