Education · 38 CFR § 4.114 · Digestive system · not your rating · we do not file
Stricture of esophagus VA rating (DC 7203)
VA rates stricture of esophagus under diagnostic code 7203 in 38 CFR § 4.114. The rule book lists 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, and 80%. Below: each level in plain English, then the exact words.
Rule-book name: Esophagus, stricture of. Last checked against eCFR on 2026-10-10 (eCFR issue 2026-08-27). Official text: 38 CFR § 4.114 on eCFR.
Each rating level in plain English
- 80%: The published words look at: trouble swallowing, or food getting stuck; food or liquid going into the lungs, or losing weight; and surgery, an implant, or a joint replacement, with dates.
- 50%: The published words look at: trouble swallowing, or food getting stuck; and a procedure to stretch the esophagus, or a stent.
- 30%: The published words look at: trouble swallowing, or food getting stuck; and a procedure to stretch the esophagus, or a stent.
- 10%: The published words look at: trouble swallowing, or food getting stuck.
- 0%: The published words look at: how often it happens.
Plain words come from our reading aid for the published words. They never add a symptom. The quotes below are the rule.
Exact words in 38 CFR § 4.114
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 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”
Notes printed with this code
“Note (1): Findings must be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.”
“Note (2): Non-gastrointestinal complications of procedures should be rated under the appropriate system.”
“Note (3): This diagnostic code applies, but is not limited to, esophagitis, mechanical or chemical; Mallory Weiss syndrome (bleeding at junction of esophagus and stomach due to tears) due to caustic ingestion of alkali or acid; drug-induced or infectious esophagitis due to Candida, virus, or other organism; idiopathic eosinophilic, or lymphocytic esophagitis; esophagitis due to radiation therapy; esophagitis due to peptic stricture; and any esophageal condition that requires treatment with sclerotherapy.”
“Note (4): Recurrent esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to maintain target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after the target diameter has been achieved.”
“Note (5): Refractory esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to achieve target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals.”
What records usually show this
VA reads these things from your records: service treatment records, VA and private treatment records, and the VA claim exam (C&P exam). The published words on this page talk about:
- Trouble swallowing, or food getting stuck: usually found in treatment notes, prescriptions, or a log you kept that show how often, when those records exist.
- Food or liquid going into the lungs, or losing weight: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- Surgery, an implant, or a joint replacement, with dates: usually found in a test or exam result in your records. The rule book reads this number from the test, not from a statement.
- A procedure to stretch the esophagus, or a stent: usually found in treatment notes, prescriptions, or a log you kept that show how often, when those records exist.
- How often it happens: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
Education only. This does not say you have any of these, and a record that mentions them does not decide a rating. Only write what is true for you. Evidence needed for your disability claim · VA claim exam (C&P exam)
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Common questions
What percentages does the VA rating schedule list for Stricture of esophagus (DC 7203)?
38 CFR § 4.114 lists 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, and 80% for diagnostic code 7203. VA decides which line fits from the evidence. This page is not your rating.
Where do these words come from?
They are quoted from the public eCFR copy of 38 CFR § 4.114, last checked 2026-10-10. The official page is linked on this page so you can check every word.
Does this page tell me what my rating will be?
No. It shows what the published rule book says. It does not predict a rating, a decision, or a dollar amount, and it does not say you have this condition.
Who can file a VA claim for me for free?
Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can prepare and file a claim with you at no cost. VA lists accredited representatives on VA.gov. We do not file.
This page quotes the public VA rule book. It is not your rating and not your pay. We do not say you have this condition. We do not file. You, or a free accredited representative, file with VA.
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