Education · 38 CFR § 4.114 · Digestive system · not your rating · we do not file
Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery VA rating (DC 7303)
VA rates chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery under diagnostic code 7303 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: Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery. 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%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
- 50%: The published words look at: pain, and what it stops you from doing; shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting with activity; bowel problems like diarrhea, constipation, or accidents; nausea or vomiting; medicine you take for it; and surgery, an implant, or a joint replacement, with dates.
- 30%: The published words look at: pain, and what it stops you from doing; bowel problems like diarrhea, constipation, or accidents; and nausea or vomiting.
- 10%: The published words look at: nausea or vomiting.
- 0%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
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% · “Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months”
50% · “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”
30% · “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”
10% · “With either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment”
0% · “Post-operative status, asymptomatic”
Notes printed with this code
“Note (1): For resection of small intestine, use DC 7328.”
“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. For example, evaluate Vitamin A, B, C or D deficiencies under DC 6313; ocular manifestations of vitamin deficiencies, such as night blindness, under DC 6313; keratitis or keratomalacia due to Vitamin A deficiency under DC 6001; Vitamin E deficiency under neuropathy; and Vitamin K deficiency under prolonged clotting (e.g., DC 7705).”
“Note (3): This diagnostic code includes operations performed on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery.”
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:
- Pain, and what it stops you from doing: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- Shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting with activity: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- Bowel problems like diarrhea, constipation, or accidents: usually found in treatment notes, prescriptions, or a log you kept that show how often, when those records exist.
- Nausea or vomiting: usually found in treatment notes, prescriptions, or a log you kept that show how often, when those records exist.
- Medicine you take for it: 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.
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 Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303)?
38 CFR § 4.114 lists 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, and 80% for diagnostic code 7303. 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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