Review peptic disease guidance around DC 7304 (peptic ulcer disease) and DC 7303 (chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery), including how gastritis (DC 7307) and postgastrectomy syndrome (DC 7308) are rated entirely under those two codes rather than criteria of their own.
Condition Overview & Clinical Scope
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VA rates peptic disease under two genuinely independent tables. DC 7304 (peptic ulcer disease) is rated on documented episode frequency, duration, and treatment intensity. DC 7303 (chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery) is rated on a different set of post-surgical symptom findings. Gastritis (DC 7307) and postgastrectomy syndrome (DC 7308) are not separate rating tables at all: DC 7307 is rated entirely as DC 7304, and DC 7308 is rated entirely as DC 7303. Stenosis of the stomach (DC 7309) is also not a separate rating table, but unlike DC 7307 and DC 7308's single redirect, it is rated as whichever of DC 7303 or DC 7304 reflects the predominant disability, a dispatch the current text gives no further mechanism for choosing. Residuals of stomach injury (DC 7310) split into two branches instead: pre-operative residuals are rated as DC 7301 (adhesions of the peritoneum, a code not yet built in this repo), while post-operative residuals are rated as DC 7303. DC 7303 and DC 7304 cannot be combined with each other under section 4.25; a single predominant-disability code applies instead.
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Common Questions & FAQs
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What are you trying to understand about peptic disease?
VA rates peptic disease under two genuinely independent tables. DC 7304 (peptic ulcer disease) is rated on documented episode frequency, duration, and treatment intensity. DC 7303 (chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery) is rated on a different set of post-surgical symptom findings. Gastritis (DC 7307) and postgastrectomy syndrome (DC 7308) are not separate rating tables at all: DC 7307 is rated entirely as DC 7304, and DC 7308 is rated entirely as DC 7303. Stenosis of the stomach (DC 7309) is also not a separate rating table, but unlike DC 7307 and DC 7308's single redirect, it is rated as whichever of DC 7303 or DC 7304 reflects the predominant disability, a dispatch the current text gives no further mechanism for choosing. Residuals of stomach injury (DC 7310) split into two branches instead: pre-operative residuals are rated as DC 7301 (adhesions of the peritoneum, a code not yet built in this repo), while post-operative residuals are rated as DC 7303. DC 7303 and DC 7304 cannot be combined with each other under section 4.25; a single predominant-disability code applies instead.
Section 4.114's predominant-disability-picture rule (this diagnostic code range cannot be combined via section 4.25; a single predominant code is chosen instead, possibly elevated one step) is not automated here -- disclosed, not silently applied. This hub explains the published DC 7303/7304/7307/7308 schedule and common record language. It does not diagnose peptic disease, determine service connection, infer undocumented symptoms, estimate an outcome, or replace medical care or accredited representation.
Percentage Guides
Understanding Your Percentage
Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.
DC 7304 -- 0%
Next: DC 7304 -- 20%
The foundation DC 7304 pathway: a confirmed history of peptic ulcer disease without meeting a higher compensable tier.
What separates the next level: The 20% level requires episodes lasting at least three consecutive days, occurring three times or less in the past 12 months, managed by daily prescribed medication.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm the diagnosis by endoscopy or imaging, without the episode-frequency or severity findings the higher tiers require.
Examples
An endoscopy or imaging study confirms peptic ulcer disease, but no qualifying episode pattern is documented.; A gastritis diagnosis is silently rated under this same DC 7304 table, per DC 7307's redirect.
Medical evidence
Endoscopy report; Diagnostic imaging study; Stomach and Duodenum DBQ
Functional impact examples
A confirmed diagnosis without an active episode pattern can still be medically important even at this foundation level.
Common misconceptions
A 0% pathway does not mean peptic ulcer disease is imaginary or unimportant.; A diagnosis alone, without endoscopy or imaging confirmation, does not establish even this foundation tier.
Related topics
peptic ulcer disease; endoscopy confirmation; DC 7307 gastritis redirect
Source context
38 CFR 4.114; 7304; Current DC 7304 educational pathway.
DC 7304 -- 20%
Next: DC 7304 -- 40%
Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting lasting at least three consecutive days, occurring three times or less in the past 12 months, managed by daily prescribed medication.
What separates the next level: The 40% level uses the identical duration and medication requirement, but requires the episodes to occur four or more times in the past 12 months instead of three or less.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
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.
Qualification explanation
The record should document episode duration, a frequency within the past 12 months, and daily prescribed medication together, not any one alone.
Examples
Treatment records document two episodes in the past year, each lasting several days, managed with a daily prescribed medication.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Treatment records documenting episode dates and duration; Prescription history
Functional impact examples
A documented episode requiring several days of daily-medication management, occurring occasionally over the year.
Common misconceptions
Occasional heartburn without the documented duration, frequency, and medication findings together does not establish this tier.
38 CFR 4.114; 7304; Current DC 7304 educational pathway.
DC 7304 -- 40%
Next: DC 7304 -- 60%
The same duration and medication requirement as the 20% tier, but with episodes occurring four or more times in the past 12 months.
What separates the next level: The 60% level requires a materially different and more severe pattern: continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis or melena, and anemia requiring hospitalization.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
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.
Qualification explanation
Only the frequency changes from the 20% tier; duration and daily-medication management are required identically at both levels.
Examples
Treatment records document five separate multi-day episodes over the past year, each managed by daily prescribed medication.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Treatment records documenting episode dates and duration; Prescription history
Functional impact examples
A recurring pattern of multi-day episodes requiring ongoing daily medication several times per year.
Common misconceptions
More frequent episodes alone, without the three-consecutive-day duration or the daily-medication finding, does not establish this tier.
38 CFR 4.114; 7304; Current DC 7304 educational pathway.
DC 7304 -- 60%
Next: DC 7304 -- 100%
Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (tarry stools), together with anemia requiring hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months.
What separates the next level: The 100% level requires post-operative status for perforation or hemorrhage, a materially different and more acute finding than the 60% tier's chronic symptom pattern.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
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.
Qualification explanation
Both the symptom pattern and the anemia-hospitalization finding must be documented together; neither alone establishes this tier.
Examples
Records document continuous pain with intermittent vomiting and recurrent hematemesis, plus a hospitalization for anemia within the past year.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Hospitalization records; Hematology/anemia lab findings
Functional impact examples
A severe, ongoing symptom burden requiring hospitalization-level anemia management.
Common misconceptions
The symptom pattern alone, without the anemia-hospitalization finding, does not establish this tier.; The anemia-hospitalization finding alone, without the continuous pain/vomiting/hematemesis-or-melena pattern, does not establish this tier.
Related topics
hematemesis; melena; anemia; hospitalization
Source context
38 CFR 4.114; 7304; Current DC 7304 educational pathway.
DC 7304 -- 100%
Highest listed pathway
Post-operative status for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months. This is the highest listed DC 7304 schedular percentage.
What separates the next level: This is the highest listed DC 7304 percentage; after three months, the regulation itself directs a re-evaluation based on residuals by mandatory VA examination.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm recent surgery for a perforation or hemorrhage complication, within the three-month evaluation window that follows.
Examples
Surgical records document a recent operation for a perforated or hemorrhaging ulcer, within the past three months.
Medical evidence
Surgical records; Post-operative treatment notes
Functional impact examples
A recent, acute surgical event with a mandated recovery window before re-evaluation.
Common misconceptions
This tier is time-limited by the regulation's own text; after three months, a mandatory VA examination re-evaluates residuals rather than the 100 percent tier continuing indefinitely by default.
38 CFR 4.114; 7304; Current DC 7304 educational pathway and highest listed schedular percentage.
Percentage Guides
Understanding Your Percentage -- Complications of Upper GI Surgery (DC 7303)
Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.
DC 7303 -- 0%
Next: DC 7303 -- 10%
Post-operative status without any of the qualifying symptom findings.
What separates the next level: The 10% level requires either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Post-operative status, asymptomatic.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm post-operative status with no qualifying nausea, vomiting, pain, or bowel-movement findings documented.
Examples
Surgical follow-up records confirm the veteran is post-operative with no digestive symptoms documented.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Post-operative follow-up records
Functional impact examples
A surgical history without ongoing symptom burden.
Common misconceptions
A postgastrectomy syndrome diagnosis is silently rated under this same DC 7303 table, per DC 7308's redirect.; This tier does not mean the surgery itself was unimportant, only that no qualifying residual symptom is currently documented.
Related topics
post-operative status; DC 7308 postgastrectomy syndrome redirect
Source context
38 CFR 4.114; 7303; Current DC 7303 educational pathway.
DC 7303 -- 10%
Next: DC 7303 -- 30%
Either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment.
What separates the next level: The 30% level requires two or more of three more specific findings (frequent or treatment-resistant vomiting, post-prandial pain with dietary modification, or three-to-five daily watery bowel movements), not just managed nausea or vomiting.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
With either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment.
Qualification explanation
Either finding alone, so long as it is managed by ongoing medical treatment, is sufficient for this tier.
Examples
Treatment records document ongoing medical management of vomiting following upper GI surgery.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Treatment records documenting ongoing management
Functional impact examples
A managed but present digestive symptom requiring ongoing treatment.
Common misconceptions
Unmanaged, undocumented nausea does not by itself establish this tier without an ongoing-treatment finding.
Related topics
nausea; vomiting; ongoing medical treatment
Source context
38 CFR 4.114; 7303; Current DC 7303 educational pathway.
DC 7303 -- 30%
Next: DC 7303 -- 50%
Two or more of three findings: vomiting two or more times per week or vomiting despite medical treatment; discomfort or pain within an hour of eating requiring ongoing oral dietary modification; or three to five watery bowel movements per day every day.
What separates the next level: The 50% level requires only one of a different, more severe set of three findings (daily vomiting, six-or-more watery/explosive bowel movements, or post-prandial light-headedness needing dumping-syndrome medication).
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
With two or more of the following symptoms: (1) vomiting two or more times per week or vomiting despite medical treatment; (2) discomfort or pain within an hour of eating and requiring ongoing oral dietary modification; (3) three to five watery bowel movements per day every day.
Qualification explanation
At least two of the three listed findings must be documented together; any single finding alone does not establish this tier.
Examples
Records document weekly vomiting episodes together with post-prandial pain requiring dietary modification.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Treatment records documenting frequency and dietary modification
Functional impact examples
A recurring, moderate symptom burden documented across two or more distinct findings.
Common misconceptions
Only one of the three listed findings, however clearly documented, does not by itself establish this tier.
38 CFR 4.114; 7303; Current DC 7303 educational pathway.
DC 7303 -- 50%
Next: DC 7303 -- 80%
Any one of three findings, with or without pain: daily vomiting despite oral dietary modification or medication; six or more watery bowel movements per day every day, or explosive bowel movements that are difficult to predict or control; or post-prandial light-headedness with sweating requiring dumping-syndrome medication.
What separates the next level: The 80% level requires continuous total parenteral nutrition or tube feeding for more than 30 consecutive days in the last six months, a materially more severe nutritional-support finding.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Any one of the following symptoms with or without pain: (1) daily vomiting despite oral dietary modification or medication; (2) six or more watery bowel movements per day every day, or explosive bowel movements that are difficult to predict or control; (3) post-prandial (meal-induced) light-headedness (syncope) with sweating and the need for medications to specifically treat complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery such as dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying.
Qualification explanation
Only one of the three listed findings needs to be documented, unlike the 30% tier's two-or-more requirement.
Examples
Records document daily vomiting that persists despite dietary modification and medication.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Treatment records documenting daily vomiting, bowel-movement frequency, or dumping-syndrome medication
Functional impact examples
A severe, persistent digestive symptom present despite active treatment.
Common misconceptions
This tier requires only one qualifying finding, not two or more like the 30 percent tier below it.
38 CFR 4.114; 7303; Current DC 7303 educational pathway.
DC 7303 -- 80%
Highest listed pathway
Continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months. This is the highest listed DC 7303 schedular percentage.
What separates the next level: This is the highest listed DC 7303 percentage; there is no higher schedular tier under this diagnostic code.
Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months.
Qualification explanation
The record should confirm continuous (not intermittent) TPN or tube feeding, sustained for more than 30 consecutive days within the past six months.
Examples
Nutritional-support records confirm continuous TPN for more than 30 consecutive days within the past six months.
Medical evidence
Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Nutritional-support and TPN/tube-feeding records
Functional impact examples
A severe nutritional-support dependency requiring sustained continuous intervention.
Common misconceptions
Intermittent or short-duration TPN/tube feeding, not sustained continuously for more than 30 consecutive days, does not establish this tier.
Related topics
total parenteral nutrition; tube feeding
Source context
38 CFR 4.114; 7303; Current DC 7303 educational pathway and highest listed schedular percentage.
Learn
Understand the details behind the criteria
Use these short guides to connect published terms with the records and observations that may clarify them.
Why gastritis and postgastrectomy syndrome have no rating table of their own
DC 7307 (gastritis) and DC 7308 (postgastrectomy syndrome) are both pure redirects under the current schedule. Neither has independent rating criteria; each is rated entirely under a different code.
DC 7307's own text reads, in full: "Rate as peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304)." There is no separate gastritis table.
DC 7308's own text reads, in full: "Rate residuals as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303)." There is no separate postgastrectomy table.
This means a gastritis diagnosis is evaluated using this hub's DC 7304 criteria above, and a postgastrectomy syndrome diagnosis is evaluated using this hub's DC 7303 criteria below.
This is a change from an older schedule structure; confirming a diagnostic code's current, independent existence directly against the regulation (rather than assuming a familiar-sounding code still has its own table) is exactly how this redirect was caught before being missed in a build.
Records to review: Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; treatment records documenting diagnosis.
How stomach stenosis (DC 7309) is dispatched
DC 7309 (stenosis of the stomach) has no independent tiers of its own. It is rated as either DC 7303 (complications of upper GI surgery) or DC 7304 (peptic ulcer disease), depending on the predominant disability.
DC 7309's own text reads, in full: "Rate as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303) or peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304), depending on the predominant disability."
This is a code-level dispatch, distinct from section 4.114's own broader rule against combining diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 with each other (see the predominant-disability-picture combination rule below). Here, a single diagnosis, stenosis of the stomach, is rated under exactly one of the two ladders; the current text gives no further instruction for choosing which.
RatingScope discloses both destinations rather than guessing which predominates, the same treatment already given to comparable dispatch codes elsewhere in this repository, for example Liver Conditions' DC 7317 (gallbladder injury).
Records to review: Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; treatment records documenting the predominant symptom pattern.
How stomach injury residuals (DC 7310) are dispatched
DC 7310 (residuals of stomach injury) has no independent tiers of its own. Pre-operative residuals are rated as DC 7301 (adhesions of the peritoneum, not yet built in this repo); post-operative residuals are rated as DC 7303 (complications of upper GI surgery).
DC 7310's own text reads, in full: "Pre-operative: Rate as adhesions of peritoneum due to surgery, trauma, disease, or infection (DC 7301). No adhesions are necessary when evaluating under DC 7301. Post-operative: Rate as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303)."
This is a two-branch dispatch, not a single redirect: which branch applies depends on whether the stomach injury has been treated surgically, not on symptom severity.
The post-operative branch is fully computable here: it dispatches into this hub's own DC 7303 criteria, above.
DC 7301 (adhesions of the peritoneum) has not yet been separately researched and built in this repo. A pre-operative DC 7310 finding is disclosed here rather than guessed, the same treatment already given to Liver Conditions' DC 7311 and DC 7317, which dispatch into the same not-yet-built code.
DC 7310's own carve-out, "No adhesions are necessary when evaluating under DC 7301," means a documented adhesion finding is not required to apply the pre-operative branch, even though DC 7301 is titled 'adhesions of the peritoneum.' Disclosed here since DC 7301 is not yet built and this nuance could otherwise be lost.
Records to review: Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Surgical records documenting whether the stomach injury was treated operatively.
DC 7303 has its own Notes on small-intestine and pancreatic-surgery complications
DC 7303's own Notes redirect small-intestine-resection complications to a different diagnostic code (DC 7328), redirect pancreatic-surgery vitamin/mineral deficiencies to the applicable deficiency code, and define the code's own scope.
Note (1): 'For resection of small intestine, use DC 7328.' A veteran whose upper-GI-surgery complication is specifically a small intestine resection is evaluated under DC 7328, not this hub's DC 7303 ladder.
Note (2): 'If pancreatic surgery results in a vitamin or mineral deficiency (e.g., B12, iron, calcium, or fat-soluble vitamins), evaluate under the appropriate vitamin/mineral deficiency code and assign the higher rating.'
Note (3): 'This diagnostic code includes operations performed on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery' -- the scope-defining Note for what DC 7303 actually covers.
None of these three Notes were previously disclosed anywhere in this hub, even though the closely analogous DC 7307-to-7304 and DC 7308-to-7303 redirects are prominently disclosed above.
Records to review: Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; Surgical records documenting which organ(s) were operated on; Records documenting any vitamin/mineral deficiency following pancreatic surgery.
The predominant-disability-picture combination rule (not yet automated)
38 CFR 4.114 states that diagnostic codes in the 7301-7329 range (which includes DC 7303, 7304, 7307, and 7308) cannot be combined with each other using the standard combined-ratings table. Instead, a single predominant-disability code is chosen, possibly elevated one step. RatingScope does not automate this rule.
This rule matters only in the rare case where a veteran has both an active peptic ulcer finding and separate, genuinely independent upper-GI-surgery complications at the same time.
In the much more common case (one diagnosis label mapping to one ladder), this rule does not apply -- this hub already handles that correctly by dispatching to exactly one ladder.
RatingScope discloses this as a known, deferred gap rather than guessing which code would predominate or attempting the elevation itself.
This is the same treatment given to Sleep Apnea's section 4.96(a) combination rule and Hand/Fingers' Rule (e) -- a genuinely open-ended clinical judgment, not a lookup table.
Records to review: treatment records documenting both conditions; clinician assessment of predominant disability.
Common peptic disease evidence
Peptic disease evidence is strongest when different records describe the same confirmed pattern consistently across diagnosis, episode findings, and treatment intensity.
Medical records can document diagnosis, endoscopy or imaging confirmation, and treatment history.
The Stomach and Duodenum DBQ organizes both DC 7304 and DC 7303 findings, despite its legacy anatomical title.
Surgical and post-operative records are especially important for the DC 7303 ladder, since its findings are specifically tied to upper GI surgery complications.
No single record automatically determines a percentage; the confirmed, documented pattern across the applicable ladder's specific findings matters.
Records to review: medical records; Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; surgical records.
How to read the Stomach and Duodenum DBQ
Despite its legacy anatomical title (predating the 2024 schedule rewrite), the current public Stomach and Duodenum DBQ's actual fields already match DC 7304 and DC 7303's current criteria closely.
The DBQ's frequency and treatment-intensity fields map directly onto DC 7304's episode-duration, frequency-band, and daily-medication findings.
Its anemia and hospitalization fields map onto DC 7304's 60 percent tier.
Its post-operative complication fields map onto DC 7303's TPN/tube-feeding, vomiting, and bowel-movement findings.
The examiner gathers evidence; the examiner does not issue the final benefits decision.
Records to review: Stomach and Duodenum DBQ; C&P examination; treatment history.
Evidence
Evidence that may clarify the published criteria
Medical and treatment records
May document diagnosis, endoscopy or imaging confirmation, episode history, and treatment intensity for either the DC 7304 or DC 7303 ladder.
Diagnosis or treatment alone does not establish a percentage without the applicable ladder's specific documented findings.
Stomach and Duodenum Disability Benefits Questionnaire
Organizes diagnosis, episode frequency and duration, treatment intensity, anemia/hospitalization findings, and post-surgical complication findings.
A DBQ organizes evidence but does not issue the final VA decision.
Surgical and post-operative records
May document the surgical history and post-operative complication findings the DC 7303 ladder specifically rates on.
Surgical history alone, without the specific documented DC 7303 findings, does not establish a percentage.
Official VA Forms & DBQs
Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms
Take the public DBQ to your private physician or review it prior to your C&P examination.
Terminology
Plain-English terms
Gastritis (DC 7307 redirect)
A gastritis diagnosis is rated using this hub's DC 7304 criteria, not a separate gastritis table.
DC 7307's own Note clarifies it also includes Helicobacter pylori infection, drug-induced gastritis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and portal-hypertensive gastropathy with varix-related complications, all rated the same way.
Even if the schedular rating for Peptic Disease does not reach 100 percent, TDIU may still provide a pathway to compensation at the 100 percent rate, based on unemployability from this and/or other service-connected disabilities combined.
A lower schedular percentage does not by itself foreclose TDIU eligibility -- this hub computes only the schedular percentage for this specific condition and does not determine TDIU eligibility.
VA uses Diagnostic Code 7304. The published tiers (100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 0%) look at episode frequency, duration, medication management, and, at the highest tier, recent surgery for perforation or hemorrhage.
How does VA rate complications of GI surgery?
VA uses Diagnostic Code 7303, a separate table from DC 7304. Its tiers (80%, 50%, 30%, 10%, 0%) look at nutritional-support needs (TPN/tube feeding), vomiting patterns, bowel-movement frequency, and dumping-syndrome findings.
Is gastritis rated on its own table?
No. DC 7307's own text says gastritis is rated entirely as peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304). There is no independent gastritis rating table under the current schedule.
Is postgastrectomy syndrome rated on its own table?
No. DC 7308's own text says its residuals are rated entirely as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303). There is no independent postgastrectomy rating table under the current schedule.
What if I have both an active ulcer and separate surgery complications?
38 CFR 4.114's predominant-disability-picture rule says this diagnostic code range cannot be combined via the standard combined-ratings table; instead a single predominant code is chosen, possibly elevated one step. RatingScope discloses this rule but does not automate it.
Is stomach stenosis rated on its own table?
No. DC 7309's own text says it is rated as either DC 7303 (complications of upper GI surgery) or DC 7304 (peptic ulcer disease), depending on the predominant disability. Unlike DC 7307 and DC 7308's single redirect, DC 7309 dispatches to one of two destinations, and the current text gives no further instruction for choosing which.
How is a stomach injury (DC 7310) rated?
DC 7310 has no independent tiers of its own. Pre-operative residuals are rated as DC 7301 (adhesions of the peritoneum), a code not yet built in this repo, so RatingScope discloses this rather than guessing. Post-operative residuals are rated as DC 7303 (complications of upper GI surgery), already computable in this hub.
What evidence commonly helps explain peptic disease severity?
A Stomach and Duodenum DBQ, endoscopy or imaging reports, treatment records, and, for surgical complications, post-operative records may help explain the confirmed pattern. No single record automatically determines a percentage.
What happens during a peptic disease C&P exam?
The examiner may review diagnosis, endoscopy or imaging confirmation, episode frequency and duration, treatment management, and, where applicable, post-surgical complication findings. The examination gathers information for VA; the examiner does not issue the final benefits decision.
If my schedular rating for Peptic Disease is below 100%, can I still be compensated at the 100% rate?
Possibly, through TDIU (Total Disability rating based on Individual Unemployability, 38 CFR 4.16) -- a separate pathway to 100 percent compensation based on unemployability, from this and/or other service-connected disabilities combined, independent of whether the schedular rating itself reaches 100 percent. This hub computes only the schedular percentage and does not determine TDIU eligibility.
What separates the DC 7304 -- 0% rating from adjacent levels?
The 20% level requires episodes lasting at least three consecutive days, occurring three times or less in the past 12 months, managed by daily prescribed medication.
What separates the DC 7304 -- 20% rating from adjacent levels?
The 40% level uses the identical duration and medication requirement, but requires the episodes to occur four or more times in the past 12 months instead of three or less.
What separates the DC 7304 -- 40% rating from adjacent levels?
The 60% level requires a materially different and more severe pattern: continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis or melena, and anemia requiring hospitalization.
What separates the DC 7304 -- 60% rating from adjacent levels?
The 100% level requires post-operative status for perforation or hemorrhage, a materially different and more acute finding than the 60% tier's chronic symptom pattern.
What separates the DC 7304 -- 100% rating from adjacent levels?
This is the highest listed DC 7304 percentage; after three months, the regulation itself directs a re-evaluation based on residuals by mandatory VA examination.
Separate the question of DC 7304/7303 severity from the unautomated question of which code predominates when both apply at once.
Ready when you are
Compare documented peptic disease findings
Use the diagnosis label, episode, and treatment language already documented in your records. Do not upload records or enter Social Security numbers, claim numbers, full dates of birth, or other sensitive identifiers. RatingScope does not infer missing findings.
Informational guidance only. RatingScope does not predict, decide, or guarantee VA outcomes.
38 CFR 4.16 - Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability (TDIU)
Official source for TDIU, a separate pathway to 100 percent compensation based on unemployability, independent of the schedular percentage. This hub does not determine TDIU eligibility.
This reflects regulatory and clinical relationships already explained elsewhere on this site. It is not a diagnosis, not a prediction that you have or will develop a connected condition, and not personalized medical or legal advice.
Regulatory relationship
Peptic Disease GERD
Both are digestive conditions commonly documented together, though each uses its own separate rating table.
Peptic disease and Crohn's disease/IBD are both digestive conditions rated under 38 CFR 4.114 and commonly documented together, but each follows its own separate rating schedule.