Getting a Gastritis Disability Rating: The VA Process Explained

One in five veterans deployed in the Gulf War reported gastritis, sometimes accompanied by related conditions. This is due to veterans experiencing unique stressors, environmental exposures, and dietary changes during military operations. 

Inflammation of the stomach lining can manifest in two forms: acute gastritis or chronic gastritis. Acute gastritis typically involves sudden, short-lived inflammation, often caused by temporary factors such as severe stress, medication reactions, or infection. In contrast, chronic gastritis involves prolonged or recurring inflammation that persists over time. This continuous inflammation can lead to substantial damage, increasing the risk of severe complications like ulcers, bleeding, nutritional deficiencies, and even stomach cancer. 

Due to such complications and the shared characteristics with other stomach conditions, the VA now evaluates gastritis (Diagnostic Code 7307) similarly to peptic ulcer disease (Diagnostic Code 7304). The symptoms, chronic nature, and long-term consequences of both conditions are so comparable that the VA applies identical rating criteria to ensure consistency and fairness when evaluating veterans’ claims for disability compensation. 

What Is the VA Disability Rating for Chronic Gastritis? 

Since May 19, 2024, chronic gastritis is rated by the VA from 0% to 100% disability under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7307,  based on symptom severity, frequency, and the impact on overall health. The rating criteria are the same as those for peptic ulcer disease (Diagnostic Code 7304).  

• 100% rating: Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months 
• 60% rating: Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (tarry stools); and manifestations of anemia which require hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months 
• 40% rating: Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur four or more times in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication 
• 20% rating: Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that: last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur three times or less in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication 
• 0% rating: History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies  

If you believe your current VA rating does not accurately reflect your symptoms or their severity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Contacting a qualified veterans’ advocate or disability lawyer can greatly assist you in navigating the appeal process and help ensure you receive the appropriate rating. 

How to Get a VA Rating for Gastritis 

To qualify for VA disability compensation for gastritis, you must submit records and medical documentation showing a connection between your gastritis and your time in the service. 

Establishing this link can be done in three ways: direct service connection, secondary service connection, or aggravation of a preexisting condition. Each type requires specific medical and service-related evidence, which helps the VA identify how your military duties or circumstances contributed to or worsened your gastritis. 

Direct Service Connection 

Establishing a direct service connection for gastritis requires clear medical evidence demonstrating three crucial points. First, you need an official diagnosis of gastritis from a licensed healthcare provider, confirming that you currently have the condition. 

Next, you must show proof of a specific event, injury, or illness that occurred during active duty and could have directly caused or contributed to your gastritis. This event could be exposure to toxic chemicals, or an injury sustained during military duties.  

Finally, a medical nexus is required. A medical nexus is a professional medical opinion explicitly stating it is “at least as likely as not” (meaning there’s at least a 50% probability) that your military service caused your gastritis. This opinion typically comes from your treating doctor or another qualified medical expert who thoroughly reviews your records and provides a well-supported statement connecting your gastritis directly to your service. 

Is Gastritis a Presumptive Disability? 

Gastritis is not considered a presumptive disability by the VA. You must provide evidence linking your gastritis directly to military service or another service-connected condition. 

Secondary Service Connection 

Secondary service connection means your gastritis developed directly because of another condition the VA has already recognized as service-connected. Think of it as a domino effect, where one service-connected illness or injury sets off another medical issue.  

A common scenario occurs when medications prescribed to manage one service-connected condition, such as PTSD, arthritis, or chronic pain, irritate your stomach lining and eventually cause gastritis. 

To successfully prove a secondary service connection, you must provide medical documentation. This includes doctor’s notes or medical opinions explicitly stating that your current gastritis resulted from treatment or symptoms of your existing service-connected condition. Medical records must detail the timeline and the exact relationship between the medications or treatments you’re receiving and the onset or worsening of your gastritis. 

Aggravation of a Pre-Existing Condition 

If your gastritis existed before you joined the military, you may still qualify for VA disability if your condition significantly worsened during your service. Military duties can introduce stressors such as high-intensity physical activities, combat stress, dramatic dietary shifts, or environmental hazards that can severely aggravate pre-existing gastritis. 

To establish aggravation, you’ll need medical proof showing a distinct and measurable increase in the severity of your gastritis symptoms from before to after your military service. This typically involves providing comparative medical records to highlight symptom progression. Important medical tests that the VA considers essential evidence include:  

•  Endoscopy: A test that allows doctors to examine your stomach lining directly to document inflammation or ulcers. 
• Barium swallow: An imaging test using X-rays to reveal structural changes or damage to the stomach lining. 
• Computerized tomography (CT scans): Imaging that can detect detailed internal changes or complications associated with gastritis, such as thickened stomach walls or ulcers.  

Connecting Other Disabilities with Gastritis 

You might qualify for a gastritis VA rating if you already have a different service-connected condition that eventually led to gastritis. On the flip side, if your gastritis is already service-connected and causes additional health issues, these secondary conditions can themselves qualify for a VA disability rating.

The connection can be established through doctors’ reports that specify how one condition led to another, providing a timeline and clinical reasoning for how the conditions are medically related. Proper documentation ensures the VA accurately understands the link between gastritis and any other disabilities, improving your chances of approval. 

Secondary Conditions to Gastritis 

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Long-term use of NSAIDs or similar medications often prescribed for managing rheumatoid arthritis or chronic pain can irritate your stomach lining, leading to gastritis. 
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, or hiatal hernia frequently cause persistent inflammation or irritation of your digestive tract, potentially triggering chronic gastritis. 
• Gastroparesis: When your stomach doesn’t empty as quickly as it should, food remains longer, increasing stomach acid production and causing gastritis. Conversely, ongoing gastritis inflammation might damage nerves responsible for gastric emptying, worsening gastroparesis. 
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD and gastritis often appear together, each condition making the other worse through excess acid production. Determining which condition developed first can be challenging due to their overlapping symptoms. 
• Barrett’s Esophagus: Chronic exposure to stomach acid from long-term gastritis can alter esophageal tissues, increasing the risk for Barrett’s esophagus—a precancerous condition. 
• Mental Health Disorders: Conditions like anxiety or depression can be triggered or worsened by the chronic discomfort and symptoms associated with gastritis. Likewise, PTSD and severe anxiety can themselves contribute to gastritis through stress-related stomach acid production. 
• Sleep Disorders: Painful gastritis symptoms, especially during the night, can disrupt sleep patterns, causing insomnia or other chronic sleep issues. 
• Malnutrition and Anemia: Chronic gastritis might result in blood loss or affect how well your body absorbs nutrients, potentially causing malnutrition or iron-deficiency anemia. 
• Gastrointestinal Cancers: Continuous stomach lining inflammation over many years can elevate the risk of stomach cancer.     

The VA Claims Process for Getting a Gastritis Rating 

Gather Documentation 

• Current medical records from your healthcare providers confirming your gastritis diagnosis and treatment. 
• Military service records detailing any relevant incidents, exposures, or conditions that contributed to your gastritis. 
• Medical nexus letters or Independent Medical Opinions explicitly stating the connection between your military service and gastritis. 

Complete and Submit Your Claim 

Fill out VA form 21-526EZ, providing accurate details about your symptoms, treatment history, in-service events or exposures, and how gastritis impacts your daily life and employment. Be specific and thorough. 

Send the completed form along with all supporting documentation directly to the VA. You can submit your claim: 

• Online, through the VA’s official website at VA.gov. 
• By mailing your claim to your nearest VA regional office. 
• In-person at a local VA office, where staff can assist with submitting your documents.

Undergo VA Medical Examinations 

The VA may require you to attend a Compensation and Pension exam. During this examination, a VA-appointed medical professional will evaluate your condition and symptoms, review your medical history, and determine the severity of your gastritis for rating purposes. It’s crucial to attend and provide clear, honest information during the exam. 

After submitting your claim and undergoing any required examinations, the VA will thoroughly review your evidence. They will then decide if your gastritis qualifies for disability benefits and assign a rating based on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your overall health and daily functioning. 

Being detailed, organized, and precise throughout this process greatly increases your chances of receiving a favorable VA rating for your gastritis. 

What If the Rating Is Denied? 

Being denied a gastritis rating is frustrating but common. However, a denial does not mean the end of your claim. You have specific options to appeal the decision and potentially secure the disability compensation you deserve. 

• Request a Higher-Level Review: You can ask for a Higher-Level Review, meaning another VA claims adjudicator will thoroughly re-examine your existing evidence. While you cannot submit new evidence at this stage, it offers a fresh set of eyes on your claim and may correct previous oversights or misinterpretations. 
• File a Supplemental Claim: A Supplemental Claim lets you introduce new and relevant medical evidence not previously considered by the VA. This might include updated medical records, newly obtained medical nexus opinions, or additional supporting documents that clearly connect your gastritis to military service. 
• Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals: If the previous options don’t yield the desired outcome, appealing directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) is your next step. At this stage, you have the chance to present your case directly to a Veterans Law Judge. You can choose to submit additional written arguments, new evidence, or even request a hearing where you or your representative can personally explain your gastritis claim.

Take the Next Step

If your VA disability claim has been denied, professional support from a qualified veterans’ advocate or attorney can help ensure your appeal is clearly presented, well-documented, and more likely to succeed. Get a free case evaluation to determine the best way to move forward with your gastritis claim. 

Content Reviewed by

Attorney Melanie Williams

Attorney Melanie Williams, a dedicated advocate for underprivileged populations, brings her passion for justice and extensive legal experience to Hill & Ponton, where she focuses on veterans’ disability law.