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Rating guide · Digestive

GERD & IBS: Rated Under the 2024 Rules

If someone told you GERD is an easy 10% or 30%, that advice is out of date. The VA rewrote its digestive ratings in May 2024, and the new criteria look at very different things.

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What changed in 2024
Current GERD criteria
Current IBS criteria
Gulf War presumptive

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The 2024 overhaul

What Changed, in Plain English

GERD is now rated mainly on esophageal stricture: a narrowing confirmed by imaging or a scope that makes swallowing difficult. Everyday reflux controlled with medication, without a stricture, generally rates 0%.
IBS is rated on how often you have abdominal pain tied to bowel movements over the past three months, plus at least two other bowel symptoms.
Existing ratings aren’t reduced just because the rules changed. New claims and increases use the new criteria.

38 CFR 4.114 · DC 7206

GERD Rating Criteria

2026 pay for a veteran with no dependents.

Current as of October 2026. Findings must be documented by barium swallow, CT, or upper endoscopy (EGD).
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
80%	Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of: aspiration, undernutrition, and/or substantial weight loss, and treatment with either surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s) or a PEG tube.	$2,102.15
50%	Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of: dilatation 3 or more times per year, dilatation using steroids at least once per year, or esophageal stent placement.	$1,132.90
30%	Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.	$552.47
10%	Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia, otherwise asymptomatic.	$180.42
0%	Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.	$0.00

38 CFR 4.114 · DC 7319

IBS Rating Criteria

Current as of October 2026. This code can also cover functional digestive disorders such as dyspepsia, functional bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
30%	Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.	$552.47
20%	Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.	$356.66
10%	Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension.	$180.42

Service connection

Ways to Connect GERD and IBS

Gulf War and post-9/11 service

Functional gastrointestinal disorders, IBS included, are presumptive under the VA’s Gulf War illness rules for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, and in certain other countries since 2001. Many North Dakota Guard members who deployed in the 2000s qualify.

Secondary connections

GERD from long-term anti-inflammatory use for a service-connected back or knee
GERD or IBS linked to PTSD, anxiety or depression

For IBS, a three-month symptom diary showing how many days a month you have pain is the most useful evidence you can create.

FAQ

GERD & IBS VA Rating: Common Questions

Why did I get 0% for GERD?

Under the criteria in effect since May 2024, GERD is rated mainly on documented esophageal stricture. Without a stricture, medication-controlled GERD generally rates 0%.

Can the new rules lower my existing GERD rating?

A change in the rating criteria alone doesn’t reduce an existing rating. Claims for increase are decided under the current criteria.

Is IBS presumptive for Gulf War veterans?

Yes. Functional gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS, are presumptive under the Gulf War illness rules for veterans with qualifying service.

How do I show how often IBS flares?

Keep a daily log for at least three months noting days with abdominal pain related to bowel movements and your other symptoms, and share it with your doctor.

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