EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
DC 7346 | 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7346 |
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7346 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7346 across 3 severity tiers (10% / 30% / 60%). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Asthma or Chronic Cough under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Chronic backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus causing heartburn, regurgitation, and tissue damage
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
10%
Two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity.
30%
Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health.
60%
Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.
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
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (12 MAPPED)
DC
Acid aspiration irritates airways; vagal reflex
DC
Acid irritation triggers cough reflex
DC
Acid reflux damages vocal cords
DC
Stomach acid damages tooth enamel
DC
Nighttime reflux disrupts sleep
DC
Chronic acid exposure causes precancerous changes
DC
Chronic inflammation causes scarring and narrowing
DC
Long-term Barretts esophagus increases cancer risk
DC
Acid reflux can reach and irritate sinuses
DC
Aspiration of gastric contents
DC
Acid damages vocal cords
DC
Nocturnal reflux disrupts sleep
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.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026