Gastroparesis VA Rating: How Veterans Can Qualify for Up to 80% Disability

Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Answers?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226

Living with gastroparesis can be uncomfortable, painful, and even embarrassing.  

But if you can link your gastroparesis to your military service, either directly, secondary to another service-related condition, or by aggravation, you may qualify for a gastroparesis VA rating up to 80%. 

In this post, we’ll break down the VA rating for gastroparesis, what benefits you may be eligible for, and how to file your claim.  

Summary of Key Points

• A gastroparesis VA rating can range from 0% to 80%, depending on the severity of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life and work. 

• You must show your gastroparesis is connected to your military service, either directly, secondarily (e.g., due to service-connected diabetes), or through aggravation. 

• You can file your VA claim online at VA.gov, by mail, fax, or in person at a VA regional office. If you need support, consider a VA Claim Discovery Call. 

Gastroparesis in Veterans

Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a condition where the stomach muscles don’t work properly, slowing or stopping the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can lead to symptoms like: 

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Abdominal pain and bloating 

• Feeling full after eating small amounts 

• Acid reflux 

• Changes in blood sugar 

• Loss of appetite, weight loss, and malnutrition 

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes that diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis, which is particularly relevant for veterans since diabetes is prevalent among us due to factors like Agent Orange exposure. 

Veterans may be at higher risk for gastroparesis due to service-related conditions. For instance, medications for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or pain (like opioids) can contribute, as can surgeries or viral infections experienced during deployment.  

The Veterans Health Library explains that causes of gastroparesis include diabetes, digestive surgeries, certain medicines, hypothyroidism, nervous system disorders, autoimmune diseases, viral stomach infection, or unknown factors. 

Treatments include dietary changes, blood sugar control for diabetics, medications to improve stomach motility, or, in severe cases, feeding tubes or surgery. 

How the VA Rates Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis isn’t listed specifically in the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities, so the VA rates it by analogy, often under diagnostic code (DC) 7399-7346 for hiatal hernia using the criteria for stricture of the esophagus (DC 7203).  

This means your rating is based on symptoms like pain, vomiting, weight loss, and overall health impairment. 

Here’s the breakdown from the VA’s rating schedule under DC 7346 (Hiatal Hernia): 

VA Rating	Stricture of the Esophagus Rating Criteria
80%	Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) 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).
50%	Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following: (1) dilatation three 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 that requires dilatation no more than two 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.

For example, in one VA Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision, a veteran received a 60% rating for idiopathic gastroparesis with severe symptoms (BVA Citation 1602300). Your rating depends on how your symptoms affect occupational and social functioning. 

Eligibility & Proving Service Connection

To qualify for a gastroparesis VA rating, you need to prove service connection. Gastroparesis can be service-connected directly (e.g., from military surgeries) or secondarily (e.g., to service-connected diabetes or medication side effects). 

Direct Service Connection

A direct service connection requires: 

1. A current diagnosis of gastroparesis (from medical records or VA exam), and 

2. An in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation (e.g., exposure leading to diabetes), and 

3. A medical nexus linking the two (often a nexus letter from a doctor). 

Secondary Service Connection

Gastroparesis can be service-connected on a secondary basis if it is caused by or aggravated by an already service-connected condition.  

You’ll need to obtain a nexus letter from a qualified medical professional that clearly states the gastroparesis is “at least as likely as not” caused or aggravated by the already service-connected condition. 

Gastroparesis can be a secondary condition to: 

• Diabetes 

• Certain cancers 

• Scleroderma 

• Migraines, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis 

• Hypothyroidism 

Pro Tip: Including Medical Evidence 

Strong evidence is crucial: Include doctor reports, test results (like gastric emptying scans), service records, and lay statements describing the impact of your symptoms. A nexus letter tying it to service can also make a big difference. 

C&P Exam for Gastroparesis

The VA may schedule a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. Expect questions on symptoms (nausea, vomiting, bloating), duration, treatments, and how your gastroparesis affects work/life.  

It’s important to be honest. These exams assess severity under the rating criteria. 

Conclusion

Gastroparesis is a VA-rated disability that impacts how your stomach muscles work to move food through your body. It can impact the quality of your daily life and cause serious health problems if left unaddressed. 

The VA rates gastroparesis up to 80%, providing a significant benefit to those veterans who qualify. With a current diagnosis and the right medical evidence, you can be compensated from the VA if your gastroparesis is connected to your military service, either directly or as a secondary condition.  

Do You Deserve a Higher VA Rating? WE GOT YOUR SIX!

Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting their due compensation. At VA Claims Insider, we enable you to understand and take control of the claims process so you can get the rating and compensation you’re owed by law. Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully developed claim (FDC).  

If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating — or you’re unsure how to get started — reach out to us! Take advantage of a VA Claim Discovery Call. Learn what you’ve been missing so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE!

---

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

---

Content Reviewed By

About the Author