VA Diagnostic Code 7202Tongue, loss of whole or part:
Rated from 30% to 100% under § 4.114. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 100%
Absent oral nutritional intake
- 60%
Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function that requires prescribed dietary modification
- 30%
Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function without prescribed dietary modification
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): Rate the residuals of speech impairment as complete organic aphonia (DC 6519) or incomplete aphonia as laryngitis, chronic (DC 6516).
- Note (2): Dietary modifications due to this condition must be prescribed by a medical provider.
Tongue, Loss of Whole or Part (VA Diagnostic Code 7202)
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 7202 covers the loss of all or part of the tongue. It falls under the Digestive System and is rated according to § 4.114 of the VA rating schedule.
Because the tongue plays a central role in eating, swallowing, and speaking, the VA rates this condition primarily based on how it affects your oral nutritional intake and swallowing function.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns one of the following rating levels based on the severity of the condition:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 100% | Absent oral nutritional intake |
| 60% | Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function that requires prescribed dietary modification |
| 30% | Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function without prescribed dietary modification |
What the VA Looks For
When rating a loss of the whole or part of the tongue, the VA focuses on:
- Oral nutritional intake — whether you are able to take in nutrition by mouth at all, and to what extent.
- Swallowing function — whether swallowing is permanently impaired.
- Prescribed dietary modification — whether a medical provider has prescribed changes to your diet as a result of the condition. Per Note (2), dietary modifications due to this condition must be prescribed by a medical provider.
Related Speech Impairment
Per Note (1), any residual speech impairment is rated separately:
- Complete organic aphonia is rated under Diagnostic Code 6519.
- Incomplete aphonia is rated as chronic laryngitis under Diagnostic Code 6516.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 7202 under § 4.114. Individual ratings depend on your specific medical evidence and circumstances.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.114, diagnostic code 7202. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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