---
title: "DC 7202 - Tongue, loss of whole or part:"
diagnostic_code: "7202"
body_system: "Digestive System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.114"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/digestive/7202-tongue-loss-of-whole-or-part"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:50.162610Z"
---

# DC 7202 - Tongue, loss of whole or part:

Rated under § 4.114. Body system: Digestive System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 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

- 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.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114