38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.114
Esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired — VA Diagnostic Code 7205
Digestive
Diagnostic code
7205
38 CFR § 4.114 lists Diagnostic Code 7205 as “Esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired:”. The next cell says “Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203).” The rating cell is empty. A note follows. Appendix B indexes “Esophagus, diverticulum.” The catalog display name matches that shorter index line. The catalog slug is dc-7205-esophagus-diverticulum.
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.
The rating criteria at each level
7205 Esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired
Rating %: —
Criteria (verbatim). Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203).
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| — | Rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). |
7203 Esophagus, stricture of — the code DC 7205 names
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: This diagnostic code, applies, but is not limited to, pharyngo- esophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum, mid-esophageal diverticulum, and epiphrenic (distal esophagus) diverticulum.
The note has a comma after “code”: “This diagnostic code, applies, but is not limited to.” The examples are “pharyngo- esophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum,” with a space after the hyphen, then “mid-esophageal diverticulum,” and “epiphrenic (distal esophagus) diverticulum.” The note ends with a period.
Notes (1) through (5) are printed under DC 7203. They are not reprinted under DC 7205. The rate-as sentence ends with a period.
DC 7205 does not print 80, 50, 30, 10, or 0. Those numbers are on DC 7203. The 80 percent line of DC 7203 says “surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).” 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.
The opening paragraph of 38 CFR § 4.114 lists the codes that are not combined with each other. DC 7205 is not in that list. 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.
The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “diverticulum” or “7205.” This page does not add DC 7205 to a presumptive row.
Source: 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Codes 7205 and 7203, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01. The 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.
What the words mean in your records
Acquired is in the schedule title
The schedule title is “Esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired:”. Appendix B indexes “Esophagus, diverticulum.” The index drops “of, acquired.”
The comma after “code” is in the note
The note reads “This diagnostic code, applies, but is not limited to.” That comma is in the 2026-10-01 XML.
The hyphen in pharyngo- esophageal has a space
The XML prints “pharyngo- esophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum.” There is a space after the hyphen. Mid-esophageal and epiphrenic are the other two examples.
Evidence that speaks to each level
The rate-as sentence
What the rater needs to see. The DC 7205 cell does not print a percentage. It says to rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). The DC 7203 lines are 80, 50, 30, 10, and 0.
Where that usually lives. The study that documents the diverticulum, and the stricture findings DC 7203 Note (1) names: barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Which diverticulum the note names
What the rater needs to see. The note’s examples are pharyngo- esophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum, mid-esophageal diverticulum, and epiphrenic (distal esophagus) diverticulum. The note says the code applies, but is not limited to, those examples.
Where that usually lives. The imaging or endoscopy report that names the diverticulum.
VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Esophageal Disorders” under Gastrointestinal. The file is Esophageal Disorders.
The exam form
DC 7205 points at DC 7203. This page does not say the esophageal form replaces that sentence.
Related codes and how they interact
The percentages live on DC 7203
DC 7203 is esophagus, stricture of. DC 7204 uses the same rate-as sentence for esophageal motility disorder. DC 7205’s note is the diverticulum note. DC 7204’s note is the motility note. They are not the same note.
Secondary conditions and presumptions
Section 3.309 does not contain “diverticulum” or “7205.” This page does not add DC 7205 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 an acquired esophageal diverticulum under DC 7205?
Under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7205 says to rate esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired, as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). DC 7205 does not print its own percentage. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.
Where is the space in the Zenker's example?
The note prints “pharyngo- esophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum,” with a space after the hyphen. Education only.
FAQ
What percentage does DC 7205 print?
None. The cell says to rate as esophagus, stricture of (DC 7203). The 80, 50, 30, 10, and 0 lines are printed on DC 7203. Education only.
Which diverticula does the note name?
Pharyngo- esophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum, mid-esophageal diverticulum, and epiphrenic (distal esophagus) diverticulum. The note says the code applies, but is not limited to, those examples. The comma after “code” is in the sentence.
Does Appendix B keep the word acquired?
No. Appendix B indexes “Esophagus, diverticulum.” The schedule title is “Esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired:”.
Next steps
- Read the decision for DC 7205 and whether the evaluation used the DC 7203 lines.
- 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
- DC 7200Soft tissue injury of the mouth, other than tongue or lips
- DC 7201Lips, injuries
- DC 7202Tongue, loss of whole or part
- DC 7203Esophagus, stricture
- DC 7204Esophageal motility disorder
- DC 7206Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- DC 7207Barrett's esophagus
- DC 7301Peritoneum, adhesions of, due to surgery, trauma, or infection
- DC 7303Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery
- DC 7304Peptic ulcer disease
- DC 7307Gastritis, chronic
- DC 7308Postgastrectomy syndromes
- DC 7309Stomach, stenosis
- DC 7310Stomach, injury of, residuals
- DC 7311Liver, injury of, residuals
- DC 7312Cirrhosis of the liver
Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.
Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7205 • va.gov
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.