Bleeding at Junction of Esophague and Stomach, Tears
Bleeding at Junction of Esophague and Stomach, Tears is a VA-ratable condition under diagnostic code 7203 in the Digestive System category. Maximum rating: 80%.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 80% | Stricture permitting passage of liquids only, with marked weight loss (>20% baseline), aspiration, or undernutrition requiring surgery or PEG tube |
| 50% | Severe; stricture requiring frequent dilatation (3 or more times per year), or steroid injection dilatation 1+ per year, or esophageal stent placement |
| 30% | Moderate; stricture requiring infrequent dilatation (less than 3 times per year) |
Important Notes
Updated May 2024. Stricture = narrowing of esophagus causing swallowing difficulty.
Filing Tips
Pro Tip: The VA won't connect the dots for you. That's your job. Build the paper trail before you file.
Gather medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of this condition.
Document in-service events, injuries, or exposures that caused or aggravated this condition.
Consider a nexus letter from a medical professional linking your condition to service.
Review the rating criteria for DC 7203 to understand what symptoms warrant higher ratings.