VA GERD Claim Guide
How the VA rates GERD, the common secondary claim linking GERD to PTSD medications, and the evidence that separates a 10% rating from a much higher one.
GERD is rated under diagnostic code 7206 (added in 2024) or the older 7346. Ratings range from 10% to 80% based on symptom frequency, severity, and complications like esophageal stricture.
GERD shows up frequently as a secondary claim to PTSD medications, since several common psychiatric prescriptions carry documented gastrointestinal side effects. The rating ladder rewards documented severity, which means the evidence you gather matters as much as the underlying diagnosis.
Proving Service Connection
You need a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event or onset, and a medical nexus tying the two. Many veterans miss the third piece.
How It's Rated
Rating Levels
- 10% — symptoms present with mild response to treatment
- 30% — persistent symptoms despite ongoing treatment
- 50–80% — severe complications including esophageal stricture, spasm, or material weight loss with anemia
Evidence That Helps
- Endoscopy or imaging reports confirming diagnosis and severity
- Medication history (PPIs, H2 blockers, and dosage changes over time)
- Treatment records showing ongoing symptom management
- A nexus opinion connecting GERD to PTSD medication if pursuing the secondary path
Taking a psychiatric medication for a service-connected condition and developing new symptoms?
Learn How Secondary Conditions WorkRelated Secondary Conditions
- Esophageal stricture
- Barrett's esophagus
The PTSD Medication Connection
Several SSRIs, SNRIs, and other psychiatric medications commonly prescribed for PTSD are documented to cause or worsen GERD symptoms. If your GERD began or worsened after starting psychiatric medication for a service-connected mental health condition, that timeline is worth documenting specifically — it's often the strongest evidence in a secondary claim.
Why Diagnostic Code 7206 Matters
The newer DC 7206 (added in 2024) created more precise rating tiers than the older, broader DC 7346 that GERD claims used previously. If your claim references the old code, it's worth confirming with a VSO whether re-evaluation under the current criteria could result in a more accurate — and potentially higher — rating.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
If you have a current diagnosis and an in-service link, a gerd claim is worth filing. Educational only. Not legal advice.
Taking a psychiatric medication for a service-connected condition and developing new symptoms?
Learn How Secondary Conditions Work