VA Diagnostic Code 7203Esophagus, stricture of:
Rated from 0% to 80% under § 4.114. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 80%
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)
- 50%
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
- 30%
Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year
- 10%
Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic
- 0%
Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): Findings must be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
- Note (2): Non-gastrointestinal complications of procedures should be rated under the appropriate system.
- Note (3): This diagnostic code applies, but is not limited to, esophagitis, mechanical or chemical; Mallory Weiss syndrome (bleeding at junction of esophagus and stomach due to tears) due to caustic ingestion of alkali or acid; drug-induced or infectious esophagitis due to Candida, virus, or other organism; idiopathic eosinophilic, or lymphocytic esophagitis; esophagitis due to radiation therapy; esophagitis due to peptic stricture; and any esophageal condition that requires treatment with sclerotherapy.
- Note (4): Recurrent esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to maintain target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after the target diameter has been achieved.
- Note (5): Refractory esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to achieve target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals.
Esophageal Stricture (VA Diagnostic Code 7203)
Understanding how the VA rates stricture of the esophagus under 38 CFR § 4.114 (Digestive System).
What Is an Esophageal Stricture?
An esophageal stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus — the tube that carries food and liquid from your throat to your stomach. This narrowing can make swallowing difficult (a symptom known as dysphagia).
Under Diagnostic Code 7203, the VA evaluates stricture of the esophagus. This diagnostic code applies to a range of related esophageal conditions, including but not limited to:
- Mechanical or chemical esophagitis
- Mallory-Weiss syndrome (bleeding at the junction of the esophagus and stomach due to tears) caused by caustic ingestion of alkali or acid
- Drug-induced or infectious esophagitis due to Candida, a virus, or another organism
- Idiopathic eosinophilic or lymphocytic esophagitis
- Esophagitis due to radiation therapy
- Esophagitis due to peptic stricture
- Any esophageal condition that requires treatment with sclerotherapy
Two important definitions the VA uses:
- Recurrent esophageal stricture — the inability to maintain the target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after that diameter has been achieved.
- Refractory esophageal stricture — the inability to achieve the target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of the condition and the treatment it requires. The available levels for Diagnostic Code 7203 are:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 80% | Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the following present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a) — and treatment with either surgical correction or a percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube). |
| 50% | Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia that requires at least one of the following: (1) dilatation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilatation using steroids at least once per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement. |
| 30% | Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia that requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year. |
| 10% | Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia, but is otherwise asymptomatic. |
| 0% | Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating an esophageal stricture under Diagnostic Code 7203, the VA focuses on the following:
- Objective documentation of the condition. Findings must be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography (CT), or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
- The presence and severity of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and whether it recurs.
- The type and frequency of treatment required, such as daily medications, dilatation (and how often per year), the use of steroids during dilatation, stent placement, surgical correction, or a PEG tube.
- Serious complications such as aspiration, undernutrition, or substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a).
- Whether the stricture is recurrent or refractory, as defined by the specific criteria above.
A note on complications: Non-gastrointestinal complications of procedures are rated under the appropriate body system rather than under this diagnostic code.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 7203 under 38 CFR § 4.114. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.114, diagnostic code 7203. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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