---
title: "DC 7203 - Esophagus, stricture of:"
diagnostic_code: "7203"
body_system: "Digestive System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.114"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/digestive/7203-esophagus-stricture-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:50.279051Z"
---

# DC 7203 - Esophagus, stricture of:

Rated under § 4.114. Body system: Digestive System.

## Rating criteria

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

- 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.*

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