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Changes to VA disability for acid reflux could be coming by the summer or fall of 2024.
Why?
The VA has proposed to add a new Diagnostic Code (DC) 7206 for rating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Acid Reflux.
Traditionally, the VA rates Acid Reflux analogous to Hiatal Hernia under DC 7346, with VA disability ratings of 10%, 30%, or 60% depending on the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms.
However, under the new proposal, DC 7206 for Acid Reflux will now be rated under Esophageal Stricture, DC 7203, with new ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, or 80%.
It’s a strange proposition: The VA is adding a new DC 7206 for Acid Reflux; however, it will actually be rated under DC 7203 for Esophageal Stricture.
Esophageal stricture refers to the narrowing of the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
I think this is bad news for veterans because the new VA rating criteria for Acid Reflux under “esophageal stricture” doesn’t contain any of the most common symptoms of Acid Reflux…
Thus, I think this change will result in veterans getting lower ratings for Acid Reflux than under the previous ratings analogous to Hiatal Hernia.
Alright, let’s explore the new Acid Reflux rating criteria in more detail.
What is the *New* Acid Reflux VA Rating Criteria?
The VA attempts to explain these changes: “The new rating criteria considers symptoms of esophageal obstruction and irritation, which are consistent with the symptoms of GERD and Acid Reflux.”
Overall, I’m very skeptical of this change because the new rating criteria for Acid Reflux only gives credit for acid reflux with “esophageal stricture,” which means you have difficulty swallowing.
However, many veterans with GERD and Acid Reflux experience symptoms such as:
- A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which may worsen at night
- Chest pain
- Difficulty eating and swallowing
- Regurgitation of food particles or sour liquid
- Sensation of a lump in your throat
If you have nighttime GERD with acid reflux, you might also experience:
- Chronic cough
- Laryngitis
- New or worsening asthma
- Disrupted sleep and insomnia
Acid Reflux VA Disability Rating Changes: What is the Implementation Date?
The exact implementation date is not known; however, summer or fall of 2024 is our best guess.
Important: Once the VA finalizes these proposed changes, there is a 60 day “cooling off” period before the changes take effect.
What does this mean for you and your VA disability strategy?
GET YOUR ACID REFLUX VA CLAIM IN NOW!
I think you’re better off being rated under the old system analogous to Hiatal Hernia under DC 7346.
Pro Tip: If you already have a VA rating for GERD or acid reflux, you are “grandfathered in” under the old rating system. These new rating criteria will not affect your current disability rating.
VA Disability for Acid Reflux (2024 Proposed Update)
| VA Disability for Acid Reflux, Rate As DC 7203, Esophagus, Stricture of: | New VA Rating |
|---|---|
| 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) | 80% |
| Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following (1) dilation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilation using steroids at least one time per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement | 50% |
| Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year | 30% |
| Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic | 10% |
| Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications | 0% |
| 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 dilation sessions performed at 2-week intervals |
Read the Proposed VA Rating Changes for Acid Reflux
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
