Posted by Gregory M. Rada | Disability Compensation
As of May 19, 2024, the VA updated its rating criteria for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a condition that affects many veterans. These changes are significant and impact the way GERD is evaluated. This post will help you understand what GERD is, the new rating criteria, and how it might affect your VA disability benefits.
Watch our YouTube video on these recent changes, or read on below to find out the details.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disorder where stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining. Common symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, and trouble swallowing. For veterans, GERD can be a service-connected condition, especially if it began or was aggravated during military service.
The new rating criteria for GERD primarily focuses on (1) documented history of esophageal strictures and (2) dysphasia (difficulty swallowing). Without both of these symptoms, it is nearly impossible to get more than 0% rating for GERD. Here are all the new ratings and criteria:
80% Rating for GERD:
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 and treatment with either surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s) or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).
50% Rating for GERD:
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% Rating for GERD:
Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.
10% Rating for GERD:
Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic.
0% Rating for GERD:
Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications
As you can see, to receive a compensable rating for GERD, you must have a documented history of esophageal strictures and you must have dysphagia. But what are those things?
Esophageal stricture is a condition where the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, becomes narrowed. The rating criteria requires the esophageal stricture to be documented, meaning it must be objectively shown by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Treatment options for esophageal strictures vary depending on the severity of the stricture and may include medications, dilation procedures to stretch the esophagus, or surgery in severe cases.
Dysphagia is a medical term for difficulty swallowing. People with dysphagia may experience pain while swallowing, have a sensation of food being stuck in their throat or chest, cough or choke when eating or drinking, and suffer from frequent heartburn or regurgitation. Effective management and treatment depend on identifying the underlying cause and may involve dietary changes, swallowing therapy, medications, or surgical interventions.
If you already have a rating for GERD, you are not impacted by the rating criteria changes and VA cannot take away your old rating. You can, however, request an increased rating under the new criteria if that would result in a more favorable rating.
If you had a claim or appeal in progress during the date of the rating change, you are entitled to the more favorable rating criteria, except that if the new rating criteria is more favorable, you can only be rated under that criteria from May 19, 2024, forward. But if the old criteria is more favorable, you can be rated at that for the entire claim period and going forward.
The new rating criteria for GERD is going to make it more difficult for veterans to receive a compensable rating for GERD because they will now have to show a documented history of esophageal strictures, along with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), to get any compensable rating. For personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’re here to help you navigate the VA disability claims process and secure the benefits you’ve earned.
