Veterans diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be eligible for VA disability compensation, if they can establish a service connection. The condition is not rated under its own code, but the VA does evaluate it using established criteria that reflect symptom severity and overall health impact.
GERD claims are often misunderstood, partly because of how the Department of Veterans Affairs classifies and rates the illness. A closer look at how these claims are processed (and why some are denied) can help veterans navigate the system more effectively.
How the VA Assesses GERD Claims without a Dedicated Rating Code
GERD does not have its own diagnostic code within the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Instead, the VA evaluates it by analogy using the criteria for hiatal hernia, a condition with overlapping symptoms. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans must meet three requirements for a successful GERD claim: a current diagnosis, an in-service event or illness, and medical evidence linking the two.
Disability ratings for GERD are most commonly awarded at 10%, 30%, or 60%, depending on the intensity and frequency of symptoms. A 10% rating may apply when a veteran experiences two or more minor symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, or difficulty swallowing, though without a significant impact on health. For a 30% rating, the VA looks for persistent epigastric distress and discomfort severe enough to cause a considerable impairment of health, which may include symptoms like substernal or arm pain.
The highest rating, 60%, is typically granted for more severe cases that involve complications like vomiting, anemia, weight loss, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. These symptoms must lead to a serious impairment of overall health, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. GERD claims that lack this symptom intensity often fall short of qualifying for the higher ratings.
Linking GERD to Military Service, Directly or Secondarily
One pathway to compensation is through direct service connection, but many veterans pursue GERD claims as a secondary condition. GERD has been medically associated with several service-connected conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, and long-term use of NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly prescribed during or after service.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish GERD as a secondary condition, veterans must provide medical documentation showing that the primary condition either caused or worsened GERD. This includes evidence such as gastroenterology records, prescribed treatment plans, and written medical opinions that explain how GERD has progressed as a result of the original condition.
Claims often fail when they lack a solid medical nexus, clear documentation linking military service or another disability to GERD. Without this link, or if the symptoms don’t meet the threshold for rating levels, claims are frequently denied. However, many veterans succeed upon appeal by submitting more detailed evidence or obtaining a new medical opinion from a qualified specialist.
