---
title: "DC 7303 - Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery:"
diagnostic_code: "7303"
body_system: "Digestive System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.114"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/digestive/7303-chronic-complications-of-upper-gastrointestinal-surgery"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:50.949526Z"
---

# DC 7303 - Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery:

Rated under § 4.114. Body system: Digestive System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 80% | Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months |
| 50% | Any one of the following symptoms with or without pain: (1) daily vomiting despite oral dietary modification or medication; (2) six or more watery bowel movements per day every day, or explosive bowel movements that are difficult to predict or control; (3) post-prandial (meal-induced) light-headedness (syncope) with sweating and the need for medications to specifically treat complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery such as dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying |
| 30% | With two or more of the following symptoms: (1) vomiting two or more times per week or vomiting despite medical treatment; (2) discomfort or pain within an hour of eating and requiring ongoing oral dietary modification; (3) three to five watery bowel movements per day every day |
| 10% | With either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment |
| 0% | Post-operative status, asymptomatic |

## Notes

- Note (1): For resection of small intestine, use DC 7328.
- Note (2): If pancreatic surgery results in a vitamin or mineral deficiency (e.g., B12, iron, calcium, or fat-soluble vitamins), evaluate under the appropriate vitamin/mineral deficiency code and assign the higher rating. For example, evaluate Vitamin A, B, C or D deficiencies under DC 6313; ocular manifestations of vitamin deficiencies, such as night blindness, under DC 6313; keratitis or keratomalacia due to Vitamin A deficiency under DC 6001; Vitamin E deficiency under neuropathy; and Vitamin K deficiency under prolonged clotting (e.g., DC 7705).
- Note (3): This diagnostic code includes operations performed on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery.

# Chronic Complications of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery (VA Diagnostic Code 7303)

*Digestive System · 38 CFR § 4.114*

## Understanding This Condition

Some veterans experience lasting complications after surgery on their upper digestive tract. Under VA Diagnostic Code 7303, these are the **chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery**.

According to the rating notes, this diagnostic code covers operations performed on the **esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery**.

Complications can include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, meal-related discomfort or pain, frequent watery bowel movements, and, in some cases, meal-induced light-headedness (associated with conditions like dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying). In the most severe cases, the body may not be able to take in enough nutrition through eating, requiring alternative feeding methods.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Here are the rating levels for this condition:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **80%** | Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months |
| **50%** | Any one of the following, with or without pain: (1) daily vomiting despite oral dietary modification or medication; (2) six or more watery bowel movements per day every day, or explosive bowel movements that are difficult to predict or control; (3) post-prandial (meal-induced) light-headedness (syncope) with sweating and the need for medications to specifically treat complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery such as dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying |
| **30%** | Two or more of the following: (1) vomiting two or more times per week or vomiting despite medical treatment; (2) discomfort or pain within an hour of eating and requiring ongoing oral dietary modification; (3) three to five watery bowel movements per day every day |
| **10%** | Either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment |
| **0%** | Post-operative status, asymptomatic |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating this condition, the VA focuses on the **type, frequency, and severity of your symptoms**, and how they are managed. Key factors include:

- **How you are able to take in nutrition** — for example, whether you require continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding, and for how long.
- **How often you experience vomiting** — ranging from nausea or vomiting managed with ongoing treatment, to vomiting two or more times per week, to daily vomiting despite dietary changes or medication.
- **Meal-related discomfort or pain** — such as discomfort or pain within an hour of eating that requires ongoing oral dietary modification.
- **Bowel symptoms** — including the number of watery bowel movements per day (three to five, or six or more), or explosive bowel movements that are difficult to predict or control.
- **Post-meal light-headedness** — meal-induced light-headedness (syncope) with sweating that requires medications to specifically treat surgical complications like dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying.

### Important Rating Notes

- **Small intestine resection:** For resection of small intestine, the VA uses **DC 7328** instead.
- **Vitamin or mineral deficiencies from pancreatic surgery:** If pancreatic surgery results in a vitamin or mineral deficiency (such as B12, iron, calcium, or fat-soluble vitamins), the VA evaluates it under the appropriate vitamin/mineral deficiency code and assigns the **higher rating**. Examples include:
  - Vitamin A, B, C, or D deficiencies — **DC 6313**
  - Ocular manifestations such as night blindness — **DC 6313**
  - Keratitis or keratomalacia due to Vitamin A deficiency — **DC 6001**
  - Vitamin E deficiency — evaluated under neuropathy
  - Vitamin K deficiency — under prolonged clotting (e.g., **DC 7705**)
- **What this code includes:** Operations on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery.

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*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 7303 under 38 CFR § 4.114. It is provided for general educational purposes and is not a promise of any particular rating outcome.*

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