What happens during a C&P exam for Barrett's Esophagus?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Barrett's Esophagus

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Barrett's Esophagus?

Barrett's Esophagus (DC 7203) is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 80% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria). Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.

Q: What rates 0% for Barrett's Esophagus under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 0% rating for Barrett's Esophagus requires: Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.

Q: What rates 10% for Barrett's Esophagus under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 10% rating for Barrett's Esophagus requires: Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia, otherwise asymptomatic.

Q: What rates 30% for Barrett's Esophagus under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 30% rating for Barrett's Esophagus requires: Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.

Q: What rates 50% for Barrett's Esophagus under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 50% rating for Barrett's Esophagus requires: 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.

Q: What rates 80% for Barrett's Esophagus under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) (DC 7203), a 80% rating for Barrett's Esophagus requires: Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the following: (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).

Q: What evidence do I need for a Barrett's Esophagus VA claim?

Key evidence for a Barrett's Esophagus claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 7203 | 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.114 (Digestive system) · reviewed 2026-05-17 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Barrett's Esophagus is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7203 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7203 (rate-as for Barrett's esophagus per § 4.114 amendment; the former DC 7346 framework was redirected to DC 7203 esophageal-stricture criteria) across 5 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 50% / 80%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

OVERVIEW

Precancerous changes to the esophageal lining from chronic acid reflux, with intestinal metaplasia

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.

10%

Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia, otherwise asymptomatic.

30%

Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.

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.

80%

Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the following: (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).

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.114 (Digestive system). Source verified 2026-05-17 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.114 on eCFR → Cornell Law mirror → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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