38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.114

Peptic ulcer disease — VA Diagnostic Code 7304

Digestive

Diagnostic code

7304

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38 CFR § 4.114 lists Diagnostic Code 7304 as “Peptic ulcer disease.” The percentage lines are 100, 60, 40, 20, and 0. The note keeps the 100 percent for three months after perforation or hemorrhage, then a mandatory VA examination rates residuals. Section 3.309(a) says “Ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal).” Section 3.309(c)(2) says “Peptic ulcer disease,” which is the schedule title. The 2026-10-01 text of § 4.114 does not contain a heading for DC 7305 or DC 7306.

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. 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 rating criteria at each level

Peptic ulcer disease — DC 7304

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (tarry stools); and manifestations of anemia which require hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months

Rating %: 40

Criteria (verbatim). Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that: last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur four or more times in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication

Rating %: 20

Criteria (verbatim). Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that: last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur three times or less in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
100	Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months
60	Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (tarry stools); and manifestations of anemia which require hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months
40	Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that: last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur four or more times in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication
20	Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, that: last for at least three consecutive days in duration; occur three times or less in the past 12 months; and are managed by daily prescribed medication
0	History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies

Note: After three months at the 100% evaluation, rate on residuals as determined by mandatory VA medical examination. Apply the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter to any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination.

DC 7304 prints a 0 percent line, so the zero-percent rule in § 4.31 is not what creates that line. 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 note prints “100%” with a percent sign. It counts three months at that evaluation, then a mandatory VA examination rates residuals. A change based on that examination, or a later one, follows 38 CFR § 3.105(e).

The opening 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 7304 is inside 7301 through 7329.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7304, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

Four or more times, and three times or less

The 40 and 20 percent lines both require episodes that last for at least three consecutive days and are managed by daily prescribed medication. The 40 percent line says the episodes occur four or more times in the past 12 months. The 20 percent line says they occur three times or less in the past 12 months. The schedule uses “or less,” not “fewer.”

The 60 percent “and”

The 60 percent cell joins two findings with “and”: continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (tarry stools); and manifestations of anemia which require hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months.

The 0 percent line is a documented history

The 0 percent line is “History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies.” It is a printed line. It is not created by § 4.31.

Gastritis and recurrent ulcer after vagotomy

DC 7307 says “Rate as peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304).” Its note says the code includes Helicobacter pylori infection, drug-induced gastritis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and portal-hypertensive gastropathy with varix-related complications. DC 7348 says: “Rate recurrent ulcer following complete vagotomy under DC 7304 (Peptic ulcer disease), with a minimum rating of 20%; and rate post-operative residuals not addressed by this diagnostic code under DC 7303 (Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery).” The minimum of 20 percent is in that DC 7348 note. It is not a line of DC 7304 itself.

Evidence that speaks to each level

100 — three months

What the rater needs to see. Post-operative status for perforation or hemorrhage, and the three-month period the 100 percent line and the note both use.

Where that usually lives. The operative report and the date that starts the three months.

What the rater needs to see. Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting and recurrent hematemesis or melena, and anemia manifestations that required hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months.

Where that usually lives. The gastrointestinal examination, the description of bleeding, and the hospitalization record.

40, 20, or 0

What the rater needs to see. How many episodes lasted at least three consecutive days in the past 12 months, whether daily prescribed medication manages them, or a history documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies.

Where that usually lives. Endoscopy or imaging, and the medication list.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
100 — three months	Post-operative status for perforation or hemorrhage, and the three-month period the 100 percent line and the note both use.	The operative report and the date that starts the three months.
60	Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting and recurrent hematemesis or melena, and anemia manifestations that required hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months.	The gastrointestinal examination, the description of bleeding, and the hospitalization record.
40, 20, or 0	How many episodes lasted at least three consecutive days in the past 12 months, whether daily prescribed medication manages them, or a history documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies.	Endoscopy or imaging, and the medication list.

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

The exam form

DC 7304’s lines are the five percentages and the three-month note. This page does not say the form replaces that text.

Related codes and how they interact

DC 7307 uses DC 7304, and the two are not combined

DC 7307, chronic gastritis, has no percentages of its own. It rates as peptic ulcer disease. Both codes are inside the § 4.114 list that is not combined with itself.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

38 CFR § 3.309(a) lists “Ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal).” The same paragraph then prints: “A proper diagnosis of gastric or duodenal ulcer (peptic ulcer) is to be considered established if it represents a medically sound interpretation of sufficient clinical findings warranting such diagnosis and provides an adequate basis for a differential diagnosis from other conditions with like symptomatology; in short, where the preponderance of evidence indicates gastric or duodenal ulcer (peptic ulcer). Whenever possible, of course, laboratory findings should be used in corroboration of the clinical data.” The 2026-10-01 text does not print a closing parenthesis before paragraph (b). 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(3) says the disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year (for Hansen's disease (leprosy) and tuberculosis, within 3 years; multiple sclerosis, within 7 years) from the date of separation from service as specified in paragraph (a)(2). Paragraph (a)(1) requires 90 days or more during a war period or after December 31, 1946, for the chronic-disease group. 38 CFR § 3.309(a) says the listed diseases shall be granted service connection if manifested to a compensable degree within those time limits, provided the rebuttable presumption provisions of § 3.307 are also satisfied. Paragraph (a) of § 3.307 also says no condition other than one listed in § 3.309(a) will be considered chronic.

38 CFR § 3.309(c)(2) lists “Peptic ulcer disease” for a former prisoner of war who was interned or detained for not less than 30 days. The disease must be manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more at any time after discharge or release. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(5) says the diseases listed in § 3.309(c) shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after discharge or release from active service. Paragraph (a)(1) says any period of service is sufficient for a disease under § 3.309(c). The 30-day rule is in § 3.309(c)(2), not in that sentence.

The schedule title is “Peptic ulcer disease.” Section 3.309(a) uses “Ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal).” Section 3.309(c)(2) uses the schedule title. The 2026-10-01 text of § 4.114 does not contain a heading for DC 7305 or DC 7306.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309(e) does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.320 does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.320b does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.316 does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.309(f) does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.309(d) does not name it. Section 3.309(b) does not name peptic ulcer disease.

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

What is the VA rating for DC 7304?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, peptic ulcer disease is rated 100, 60, 40, 20, or 0 percent. The 100 percent is post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Is peptic ulcer disease the same words as the chronic-disease list?

The schedule title is “Peptic ulcer disease.” Section 3.309(c)(2) uses those words. Section 3.309(a) says “Ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal)” and then states how a proper diagnosis of gastric or duodenal ulcer is considered established.

FAQ

How does VA rate peptic ulcer disease under DC 7304?

Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage is 100 percent for three months. Continuous abdominal pain with the bleeding findings and anemia that required hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months is 60 percent. Episodes of at least three consecutive days, managed by daily prescribed medication, are 40 percent if they occur four or more times in the past 12 months and 20 percent if they occur three times or less. A history documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies is 0 percent. Education only.

Which presumption lists name a peptic ulcer?

Section 3.309(a) lists ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal), on the one-year chronic-disease rule. Section 3.309(c)(2) lists peptic ulcer disease for a former prisoner of war interned at least 30 days, manifest to 10 percent or more at any time after service. Section 3.309(e) does not name it. Section 3.320 does not name it.

What happens after the three-month 100 percent?

The note says that after three months at the 100% evaluation, residuals are rated by a mandatory VA medical examination. A change based on that examination, or a later one, follows § 3.105(e).

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7304, the number of episodes in the past 12 months, and whether the three-month 100 percent was used.
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 7304 • va.gov

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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.