Most veterans still believe the VA’s GERD rating system is the same as it was before May 2024, but the VA replaced it with a new code that requires documented esophageal stricture to get above 10%, meaning veterans with severe daily reflux, significant sleep disruption, and documented functional impact are getting 10% or 0% under the new criteria when the same file would have supported 30% or more under the old one.
Quick Answer
Your GERD rating depends on when you file, because the VA changed the system in May 2024, which means older claims are rated under DC 7346 based on symptom patterns, while newer claims fall under DC 7206, where most of the weight is on whether there is documented esophageal stricture.
Most GERD VA ratings stall at 10% or 0% under the new criteria because the file documents reflux and symptoms without the imaging-confirmed structural findings the current system is built around.
How GERD Gets Connected to Service
Before the VA ever looks at your rating, your condition needs to be connected to service, and that connection can happen in three main ways, depending on what your records already show.
You don't need a formal diagnosis from when you were in, because what really matters is whether the timeline holds up, so if your records and your statements show that symptoms like heartburn, reflux, or chest discomfort started during service and continued over time, that can be enough, but if that timeline breaks or shifts around, this path becomes much harder to support.
If you already have a condition the VA has service-connected, like PTSD or something that requires medication that irritates your stomach, it can be easier to link GERD as secondary, because instead of showing it started in service, you are showing it developed because of that existing condition.
Aggravation applies when GERD started before service and worsened during active duty, and while the VA can recognize that, the file has to clearly show the difference between your baseline and your current condition.
Did the VA GERD Rating Change?
Yes, and the change is more significant than most people realize, because in May 2024 the VA moved away from the old system that focused on how GERD symptoms showed up over time and replaced it with DC 7206, which puts most of the weight on whether there is documented esophageal stricture on imaging, so instead of looking at how disruptive reflux is day to day, the focus now shifts to whether there is a structural finding in the record, and that change alone is what is driving many lower ratings under the current criteria.
If your GERD rating was set before May 19, 2024, it stays under the old system unless you file a new claim or ask for an increase, because at that point the VA looks at both sets of criteria and applies whichever works in your favor, while new claims fall under DC 7206.
The one rule to keep in mind is that a 10% rating is still possible without stricture if you need daily medication, which is where most claims land under the current system.
What Are the VA Rating Levels for GERD?
Under DC 7206 — Claims filed on or after May 19, 2024
Under DC 7346 — Claims filed before May 19, 2024, or where old criteria produce a more favorable outcome
Important: If your GERD rating was set before May 19, 2024, it stays under the old system unless you file again, because at that point the VA compares both sets of criteria and uses whichever works in your favor. If the wrong system was applied to your claim, that is a legal error that can be challenged through a Higher Level Review or appeal without needing new medical evidence.
What Does the VA Need to Rate Your GERD Claim?
When a Nexus Letter Is the First Thing You Need
A nexus letter becomes important when the link between GERD and service is not clear, which is common when symptoms start after discharge, are tied to another condition, or were denied before, and what gives that letter weight is not the provider’s title, but how well it explains the connection using your history and a clear medical explanation.
What the File Needs to Support the Rating
Once service connection is in place, what your file needs depends on which system applies, because under DC 7206 the focus is on structural findings like esophageal stricture confirmed through imaging, along with documented dysphagia and any procedures, while under DC 7346 the focus is more on a consistent pattern of symptoms and how they affect eating, sleep, and daily life over time.
Across both systems, what carries weight is how well your treatment history is documented and whether your symptoms persist despite medication, because that is what separates lower ratings from higher ones, and when a gastroenterology specialist is involved, their notes tend to carry more impact since they can document either structural issues or the full pattern of how the condition affects you.
What an Endoscopy Does for the Claim
Under DC 7206, an endoscopy often makes the difference, because without documented evidence showing esophageal stricture, it is hard to move past 10% no matter how severe the symptoms are, while under the old system it was helpful but not required. If you have one, make sure the results are in your file before the exam, because the examiner only works with what is already documented.
Employment and GERD VA Ratings
The VA is not checking whether you are employed. What it is looking for is whether your symptoms consistently show a pattern of disruption to daily functioning, even if you are still showing up and pushing through. What tends to stand out in a strong GERD file is:
- Recurrent reflux, chest pain, or regurgitation during the workday
- Regular flare-ups that lead to missed time or frequent medical visits
- Symptoms that interfere with eating, focus, or stamina
- Ongoing treatment that does not fully control the condition
C&P Exam Tips for GERD
The C&P exam is where many GERD claims start to break down, because it is often the only time the VA sees everything pulled together in one report, and that means whatever gets discussed and documented there is what the rating is based on, so if key details never come up, they usually never make it into the decision.
- Track your symptoms over time. Don’t rely on your memory. Keep a simple log of your symptoms, how often they happen, and how much they interfere with your everyday routines.
- Be clear about frequency and impact. The examiner needs to understand how often symptoms happen and what they actually do to you. If GERD is affecting your sleep, focus, or ability to function, say it clearly.
- List every medication you have tried. Bring a full list of treatments, how long you used them, and whether they worked, because ongoing symptoms despite treatment are what separate lower ratings from higher ones.
- Bring test results if you have them. If you have had an endoscopy or other GI testing, bring copies so symptoms do not get minimized in the report.
Secondary Conditions Linked to GERD
GERD can cause more than reflux when it goes unchecked. Ongoing symptoms, especially at night, can start interfering with breathing and sleep, which is where secondary conditions come into play.
Sleep Apnea
Chronic acid reflux can inflame the airway and worsen or contribute to obstructive sleep apnea, especially during nighttime reflux episodes.
Learn more →Anxiety
Persistent GERD symptoms, chest discomfort, and sleep disruption can increase anxiety and panic-like symptoms over time.
Learn more →Chronic Cough
Acid reflux irritating the throat and airways can lead to a long-term, unexplained cough that the VA can rate separately.
Learn more →Esophagitis
Repeated acid exposure causes inflammation of the esophagus, leading to pain, swallowing difficulty, and further complications.
Learn more →Getting the GERD VA Rating Your File Actually Supports
You should be able to look at your GERD rating and understand exactly how the VA arrived at it. If the percentage does not match what you are dealing with, the issue is almost always in what the record shows and how it maps to the criteria, not in whether the condition is real or severe.
If you want to understand how your file would be evaluated before you file or appeal, that is where we start. We map the evidence, identify the gaps, and help you understand what is realistic before a decision is made.
FAQs About GERD VA Disability Rating
Can GERD be secondary to PTSD medications?
Yes. Many medications commonly prescribed for PTSD can irritate the stomach and worsen acid reflux. If GERD developed or got worse after starting these medications, it may qualify as a secondary service-connected condition when supported by medical evidence.
What VA rating can I get for GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
GERD VA ratings can be 10%, 30%, or 60% under diagnostic code 7346. The rating depends on how frequent and severe your symptoms are and how much they affect your daily functioning, not just whether you’ve been diagnosed.
What evidence do I need for a GERD?
At a minimum, you’ll need a current GERD diagnosis, medical records showing symptoms and treatment, and evidence linking GERD to service or another service-connected condition. In many cases, a medical nexus opinion is the key piece that ties everything together.
Can I claim secondary conditions related to GERD
Yes. GERD can cause or aggravate other conditions, most commonly sleep apnea. When properly documented, secondary conditions can be claimed separately and may increase your overall GERD VA disability rating.
Can GERD be service-connected if it started after I got out?
Yes. GERD doesn’t have to start during active duty to be service-connected. If it developed later due to service-related stress, injuries, or medications for another service-connected condition, it can still qualify, especially as a secondary condition.