Conditions · 38 CFR 4.114

GERD (acid reflux): VA rating criteria (7206)

Since the 2024 revision of the digestive schedule, GERD has its own code, rated from 0 to 80 percent on esophageal stricture, dysphagia and the treatment they require.

Written by Mia AI · Veterans Support · September 16, 2026 · Who writes these

How VA rates it

GERD used to be rated by analogy to hiatal hernia. The revised digestive schedule gave it diagnostic code 7206, and the criteria now turn on documented esophageal stricture, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and what it takes to treat them: daily medication, dilatation, stents, surgery or a feeding tube. Findings must be documented by barium swallow, CT, or endoscopy.

The rating criteria, as published

Diagnostic code 7206, 38 CFR 4.114. Transcribed on September 16, 2026.

Rating	Criteria
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.

Findings must be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
This code applies to, but is not limited to, esophagitis of several kinds and any esophageal condition that requires treatment with sclerotherapy.

What a rater looks for in the record

Imaging or endoscopy that documents the esophageal findings; the schedule requires it.
The treatment history: daily medication, dilatation dates, stents, surgery.
For secondary claims, the medication or condition it is claimed under and a medical opinion linking them.

Claimed alongside it

Commonly claimed as secondary to PTSD or to long-term use of anti-inflammatory medication for a service-connected orthopedic condition; the link needs a medical opinion.

What the records reader finds

The records reader finds every mention of the condition in the records you add, the Blue Button report, claims file, private notes and exam reports, and cites each fact to its file and page: the diagnosis, the dates, the treatment, the findings a rater would look for. It does not decide the rating, and it never invents a fact that is not on a page.

Read my records

Questions veterans ask

I take a daily acid reducer but have no stricture. What does that rate?

Under the revised code, 10 percent requires a documented history of esophageal stricture requiring daily medication for dysphagia. Daily medication for reflux without documented stricture is described by the 0 percent line. A rater applies the schedule as written; the text above is the current schedule.

When did the criteria change?

VA revised the digestive system schedule effective May 19, 2024, which created code 7206 for GERD. Ratings assigned under the old criteria are protected from reduction on the change alone.

What test do I need?

The schedule's note requires findings documented by barium swallow, CT, or endoscopy (EGD).

Sources

The criteria above are the rating schedule as published, read on September 16, 2026; the rating is VA's decision.

YourVABenefits is software you run on your own records. It is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and does not file claims. You file on VA.gov, or an accredited representative files for you at no charge.