38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.114

Esophagus, stricture of — VA Diagnostic Code 7203

Digestive

Diagnostic code

7203

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38 CFR § 4.114 lists Diagnostic Code 7203 as “Esophagus, stricture of:”. The rating lines are 80, 50, 30, 10, and 0. Five notes follow. Appendix B indexes “Esophagus, stricture.” The catalog display name matches that shorter index line. The catalog slug is dc-7203-esophagus-stricture.

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was last amended on 2026-08-27. On 2026-10-05 the titles list reports up to date as of 2026-10-02, and the 2026-10-02 XML for the sections quoted here matches the 2026-10-01 XML. Section 4.114 source note: 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 34 FR 5063, Mar. 11, 1969; 40 FR 42540, Sept. 15, 1975; 41 FR 11301, Mar. 18, 1976; 66 FR 29488, May 31, 2001; 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024. Section 4.112 source note: 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024.

The rating criteria at each level

7203 Esophagus, stricture of

Rating %: 80

Criteria (verbatim). 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)

Rating %: 50

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
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

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.

The title ends with a colon. The five percentage cells do not end with a period. Note (3) says “Mallory Weiss” as two words. It says “idiopathic eosinophilic, or lymphocytic esophagitis,” with a comma after eosinophilic.

The 80 percent line says “surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).” It does not say “surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s).” That longer phrase is the 80 percent line of DC 7206, gastroesophageal reflux disease. DC 7203 prints its own 80, 50, 30, 10, and 0. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

38 CFR § 4.112(a) defines substantial weight loss as involuntary loss greater than 20% of an individual's baseline weight sustained for three months with diminished quality of self-care or work tasks. The 80 percent line cites § 4.112(a) for that term. Undernutrition is a separate item on the same line. Section 4.112(c) defines undernutrition. It is not the paragraph the 80 percent line cites. Section 4.112(d)(2) uses the words “Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy” for one type of assisted enteral nutrition. The 80 percent line’s parenthetical is “PEG tube” after “percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube.”

The opening paragraph of 38 CFR § 4.114 says: “Do not combine ratings under diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 inclusive, 7331, 7342, 7345 through 7350 inclusive, 7352, and 7355 through 7357 inclusive, with each other. Instead, when more than one rating is warranted under those diagnostic codes, assign a single evaluation under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture, and elevate it to the next higher evaluation if warranted by the severity of the overall disability.” DC 7203 is not in that list. 38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided, and that the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses is to be avoided.

Note (3) names “esophagitis due to peptic stricture” as one condition this code applies to. Peptic ulcer disease is a different row, DC 7304. This page does not move peptic ulcer disease onto DC 7203.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 contains “Cancer of the esophagus.” It does not contain “stricture,” “7203,” or “dysphagia.” Cancer of the esophagus is not this row. This page does not add DC 7203 to a presumptive row.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7203, and 38 CFR § 4.112, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01. The § 4.114 source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 34 FR 5063, Mar. 11, 1969; 40 FR 42540, Sept. 15, 1975; 41 FR 11301, Mar. 18, 1976; 66 FR 29488, May 31, 2001; 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024. The § 4.112 source note prints 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024.

What the words mean in your records

The index drops “of”

The schedule title is “Esophagus, stricture of:”. Appendix B indexes “Esophagus, stricture.” The catalog display name follows the index.

Recurrent and refractory are defined in notes

Note (4) defines recurrent esophageal stricture as the inability to maintain target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after the target diameter has been achieved. Note (5) defines refractory esophageal stricture as the inability to achieve target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals. The 80 and 50 lines say “recurrent or refractory.” The 30 line says “recurrent” and does not say “or refractory.”

The 50 line has no colon after “following”

The cell says “at least one of the following (1) dilatation.” It does not put a colon between “following” and “(1).”

Evidence that speaks to each level

What the rater needs to see. Documented history of recurrent or refractory stricture causing dysphagia, with aspiration, undernutrition, and/or substantial weight loss as § 4.112(a) defines it, and treatment with either surgical correction or a percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).

Where that usually lives. Barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy, plus the treatment record. Note (1) names those three studies.

What the rater needs to see. Recurrent or refractory stricture causing dysphagia which requires dilatation 3 or more times per year, dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or esophageal stent placement.

Where that usually lives. Procedure notes that count dilatations, steroid dilatation, or stent placement.

30, 10, and 0

What the rater needs to see. The 30 percent line is recurrent stricture causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year. The 10 percent line requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic. The 0 percent line is a documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.

Where that usually lives. The same studies Note (1) names, the dilatation count, and the medication list.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
80	Documented history of recurrent or refractory stricture causing dysphagia, with aspiration, undernutrition, and/or substantial weight loss as § 4.112(a) defines it, and treatment with either surgical correction or a percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).	Barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy, plus the treatment record. Note (1) names those three studies.
50	Recurrent or refractory stricture causing dysphagia which requires dilatation 3 or more times per year, dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or esophageal stent placement.	Procedure notes that count dilatations, steroid dilatation, or stent placement.
30, 10, and 0	The 30 percent line is recurrent stricture causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year. The 10 percent line requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic. The 0 percent line is a documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications.	The same studies Note (1) names, the dilatation count, and the medication list.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Esophageal Disorders” under Gastrointestinal. The file is Esophageal Disorders.

The exam form

DC 7203 prints 80, 50, 30, 10, and 0. This page does not say the esophageal form replaces those lines.

Related codes and how they interact

Three codes say to rate as this one

DC 7204 is esophageal motility disorder. The cell says “Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203).”

DC 7205 is esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired. It uses the same rate-as sentence.

DC 7207 is Barrett's esophagus. The with-stricture cell rates as DC 7203. The without-stricture lines are 30 for high-grade dysplasia and 10 for low-grade dysplasia. Those two lines are not DC 7203 lines. Note (2) rates resolved Barrett's residuals as DC 7203. Note (1) sends malignancy to DC 7343.

DC 7346 is hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia. It says “Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203).” DC 7346 is inside the § 4.114 combine list. DC 7203 is not.

The public GERD page is gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is DC 7206, not DC 7203.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not contain “stricture” or “7203.” “Cancer of the esophagus” is a different line. This page does not add DC 7203 to a presumptive row.

A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.

Short answers

How does VA rate esophagus, stricture of, under DC 7203?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7203 rates documented stricture with dysphagia at 80, 50, 30, 10, or 0. Note (1) requires barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Notes (4) and (5) define recurrent and refractory. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Why does the index omit “of”?

Appendix B indexes “Esophagus, stricture.” The schedule line is “Esophagus, stricture of:”. The catalog display name follows the index.

FAQ

What are the DC 7203 percentages?

80, 50, 30, 10, and 0. The 80 and 50 lines say recurrent or refractory stricture causing dysphagia. The 30 line says recurrent stricture and dilatation no more than 2 times per year. The 10 line is daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic. The 0 line is a documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. Education only.

Does the 80 percent line require surgery of the stricture?

It says treatment with either surgical correction or a percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube), plus the dysphagia findings. The words “surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s)” are on DC 7206, not on this 80 percent line.

Is peptic ulcer disease DC 7203?

No. DC 7304 is peptic ulcer disease. DC 7203 Note (3) names esophagitis due to peptic stricture as one esophageal condition this code applies to. That note does not retitle DC 7304.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7203, which percentage line it used, and whether the findings were documented by one of the three studies in Note (1).
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other digestive codes are on the digestive diagnostic-code index. The category page is digestive conditions.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Digestive, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Digestive codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7203 • va.gov

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