- Diagnostic Code
- 7203
- CFR Section
- §4.114 — Digestive
Rating Tiers
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 as defined by § 4.112(a) and treatment with either surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube)
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
Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year
Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic
Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications
What Raters Look For
Based on M21-1 adjudication criteria for Digestive conditions. These are the factors a VA rater evaluates when assigning a rating percentage.
M21-1 III.iv.4.D- •Weight loss — documented weight changes in treatment records
- •Frequency and severity of symptoms: pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- •Dietary restrictions required due to the condition
- •Need for surgical intervention, feeding tubes, or colostomy
- •Imaging and endoscopy findings (scope reports, biopsy results)
- •Hepatic function if liver disease is involved: bilirubin, albumin, INR, Child-Pugh score