VA ratings for gastritis range from 0% to 100% with breaks at 20%, 40%, and 60%.
Gastritis is very similar to peptic ulcer disease, which is why the new digestive system rating criteria specifies to rate gastritis under Diagnostic Code 7304 for peptic ulcers.
The gastritis rating factors include the severity of episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting as well as whether hospitalization has been required in the past.
Your final VA disability rating for gastritis depends on the frequency (how often), severity (how bad), and duration (how long) of symptoms and how those symptoms negatively impact your work, life, and social functioning.
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Summary of Main Points
- Gastritis Defined: Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining, which can be acute or chronic, with chronic gastritis involving persistent inflammation and damage over time; it is now rated under peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304) due to the comparable ongoing inflammation, damage, symptoms, and complications.
- VA Rating for Gastritis: As of May 19, 2024, the VA rates gastritis, under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code (DC) 7307, which instructs the VA to rate under DC 7304 for peptic ulcer disease, with ratings from 0% to 100% with breaks at 20%, 40%, and 60% based on severity of symptoms and how those symptoms negatively impact your work, life, and social functioning.
- Service Connection for Gastritis: To receive a gastritis VA disability rating and compensation, you must have (#1) a current diagnosis of gastritis, (#2) evidence of an in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation, (#3) a medical nexus linking the current diagnosis to the in-service event, and (#4) documention of severity of symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration.
Gastritis in Veterans
Gastritis is a broad term for several conditions that cause inflammation of the stomach lining, leading to the following side effects:
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Belching
- A feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Fatigue
Common causes of gastritis in veterans include stress, Helicobacter pylori infection, alcohol or tobacco use, or use of pain relievers.
As a note, the presence of blood in the stool or vomit typically occurs in severe cases of gastritis or when there’s a bleeding ulcer.
Unfortunately, when left untreated, gastritis puts you at a greater risk for stomach cancer, so it’s essential to address issues immediately.
If you believe your military service caused gastritis, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits.
What is the VA Rating for Gastritis?
As of May 19, 2024, the VA rates gastritis, under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code (DC) 7307, which instructs the VA to rate under DC 7304, with ratings from 0% to 100% with breaks at 20%, 40%, and 60% based on severity of symptoms.
Click here to read the digestive system VA rating changes.
DC 7304, *NEW* Gastritis VA Disability Rating
Here’s the new VA rating criteria for gastritis:
- Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months rate at 100%
- Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (tarry stools); and manifestations of anemia which require hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months rate at 60%
- Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that: last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur four or more times in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication rate at 40%
- Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that: last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur three times or less in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication rate at 20%
- History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies rate at 0%
Note #1: After three months at the 100% evaluation, rate on residuals as determined by mandatory VA medical examination. Apply the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter to any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination.
Note #2: This diagnostic code includes Helicobacter pylori infection, drug- induced gastritis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and portal-hypertensive gastropathy with varix-related complications.
Explanation of Terms:
- Gastritis: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach, which can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Chronic gastritis involves persistent inflammation and damage to the stomach lining over time.
- Rate as Peptic Ulcer Disease (DC 7304): Chronic gastritis is rated similarly to peptic ulcer disease because both conditions involve ongoing inflammation and damage to the stomach lining, leading to similar symptoms and complications.
- Helicobacter pylori Infection: A bacterial infection of the stomach lining that can cause chronic gastritis and increase the risk of developing peptic ulcers.
- Drug-induced Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining caused by prolonged use of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids.
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by the formation of tumors (gastrinomas) in the pancreas or duodenum, leading to excessive production of stomach acid and chronic gastritis.
- Portal-Hypertensive Gastropathy with Varix-Related Complications: Gastritis caused by increased pressure in the portal vein (portal hypertension), often due to liver cirrhosis or other liver diseases, leading to the development of dilated blood vessels (varices) in the stomach lining and related complications such as bleeding.
How to Get a Service Connection for a Gastritis
To receive a gastritis VA disability rating and compensation, you must meet the following requirements:
- A current diagnosis of gastritis
- An in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation
- A medical nexus (i.e., link) between the current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, or illness
- Severity of symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration
You should file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifying the connection between your current health conditions and military service.
You generally use VA Form 21-526EZ for disability compensation claims, and it’s essential to include comprehensive details about symptoms, medical treatments, and the impact on your daily life.
5 Steps to Filing a VA Claim for Gastritis
You can file a VA claim for gastritis using the following five steps:
- Gather Documentation: Collect medical records showing current diagnosis, test results, service records, and other evidence, such as Medical Nexus Letter or Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) linking your gastritis to your military service.
- Complete VA Form 21-526EZ: Fill out this form to apply for disability compensation. Include details about your exposure, symptoms, and how it affects your daily life.
- Submit Your Claim: Send the completed form and supporting documents to the VA regional office handling your claim. You can submit it online through the VA website, by mail, or in person.
- Undergo Examinations: The VA might schedule you for medical examinations to evaluate the extent of your gastritis.
- Await the Decision: The VA will review your claim, considering the evidence provided.
The VA will notify you of their decision regarding your eligibility for a VA rating for gastritis, including benefits and compensation.
VA Disability for Gastritis: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the chronic gastritis VA rating?
Effective May 19, 2024, VA disability ratings for gastritis range from 0% to 100% with breaks at 20%, 40%, and 60%.
Can I appeal a denied gastritis VA rating?
You can file an appeal if your VA claim is denied and you feel you deserve VA disability benefits for gastritis or didn’t receive the disability rating owed.
If the VA decision was dated on or after February 19, 2019, you have three options to continue your case:
- File a Supplemental Claim
- Request a Higher-Level Review
- Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Is gastritis a presumptive condition?
No, the VA doesn’t recognize gastritis as a presumptive condition.
How does the VA determine VA disability ratings for gastritis in veterans?
The VA determines disability ratings for gastritis by assessing the severity of the condition, including whether the veteran experiences severe hemorrhages or large ulcerated areas.
What medical evidence is required for a VA disability claim for gastritis?
To help get you the VA benefits you deserve for gastritis, you should provide the following:
- Medical records showing the current diagnosis
- Test results
- Buddy statements (optional)
- Nexus letter
- Independent medical opinions (IMOs)
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is one of the top VA disability benefits experts in the world and bestselling author of You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits You’ve Earned (Second Edition).
Brian’s frustration with the VA claim process led him to create VA Claims Insider, which provides disabled veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned to win their VA disability compensation claim, faster, even if they’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start.
As the founder of VA Claims Insider and CEO of Military Disability Made Easy, he has helped serve more than 10 million military members and veterans since 2013 through free online educational resources.
He is a former active duty Air Force officer with extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).
