38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.114

Stomach, stenosis of — VA Diagnostic Code 7309

Digestive

Diagnostic code

7309

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38 CFR § 4.114 lists Diagnostic Code 7309 as “Stomach, stenosis of:”. The title ends with a colon. The rating cell is empty. The next cell is “Rate as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303) or peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304), depending on the predominant disability.” That cell ends with a period. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes “Stomach, stenosis.” It drops “of.”

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 § 4.112 source note prints 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024. The § 4.113 XML for this date does not print a Federal Register source note.

The rating criteria at each level

7309 Stomach, stenosis of

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Rate as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303) or peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304), depending on the predominant disability.

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
—	Rate as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303) or peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304), depending on the predominant disability.

7303 Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery — one code DC 7309 names

Rating %: 80

Criteria (verbatim). Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months

Rating %: 50

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). 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

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). With either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). Post-operative status, asymptomatic

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
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

7304 Peptic ulcer disease — the other code DC 7309 names

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 (1) under DC 7303: For resection of small intestine, use DC 7328.

Note (2) under DC 7303: 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) under DC 7303: This diagnostic code includes operations performed on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery.

Note under DC 7304: 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.

The DC 7304 100 percent line uses “100%,” with the percent sign. The note uses “100%” as well.

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. Both DC 7303 and DC 7304 print a 0 percent line. DC 7309 itself prints no percentage.

The opening of § 4.114 says not to combine ratings under diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 inclusive, 7331, 7342, 7345 through 7350 inclusive, 7352, and 7355 through 7357 inclusive, with each other. DC 7303, DC 7304, and DC 7309 are inside 7301 through 7329. When more than one rating is warranted under those 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. 38 CFR § 4.113 points that instruction to § 4.14.

DC 7307 is chronic gastritis, and it says to rate as peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304). DC 7308 is postgastrectomy syndromes, and it says to rate residuals as DC 7303. DC 7328 is the small-intestine code named in DC 7303 Note (1). The DC 7304 note cites § 3.105(e).

Source: 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Codes 7309, 7303, and 7304, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

Predominant disability chooses the code

The DC 7309 cell names DC 7303 or DC 7304, depending on the predominant disability. It does not print a third percentage scale.

DC 7303 includes stomach operations

Note (3) says the code includes operations on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery. Note (1) sends resection of the small intestine to DC 7328.

The ulcer 100 percent line is three months

Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months, at 100. The note then rates residuals after a mandatory VA medical examination and applies § 3.105(e) to a change.

Evidence that speaks to each level

The DC 7309 choice

What the rater needs to see. Stenosis of the stomach, rated as DC 7303 or DC 7304, depending on the predominant disability.

Where that usually lives. The decision that names which of those two codes was used.

DC 7303

What the rater needs to see. The nutrition, vomiting, bowel-movement, syncope, dietary-modification, or asymptomatic post-operative findings the line names.

Where that usually lives. The post-surgical records. Note (3) includes operations on the stomach.

DC 7304

What the rater needs to see. The perforation or hemorrhage post-operative period, or the pain, vomiting, bleeding, anemia, episode count, and daily prescribed medication the line names. The 0 percent line is a history documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging.

Where that usually lives. The endoscopy or imaging and the treatment record.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
The DC 7309 choice	Stenosis of the stomach, rated as DC 7303 or DC 7304, depending on the predominant disability.	The decision that names which of those two codes was used.
DC 7303	The nutrition, vomiting, bowel-movement, syncope, dietary-modification, or asymptomatic post-operative findings the line names.	The post-surgical records. Note (3) includes operations on the stomach.
DC 7304	The perforation or hemorrhage post-operative period, or the pain, vomiting, bleeding, anemia, episode count, and daily prescribed medication the line names. The 0 percent line is a history documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging.	The endoscopy or imaging and the treatment record.

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

The exam form

DC 7309 names DC 7303 or DC 7304. This page does not say the form chooses between them. The schedule says “depending on the predominant disability.”

Related codes and how they interact

Gastritis and postgastrectomy point at the same two codes.

DC 7307 says to rate as DC 7304. DC 7308 says to rate residuals as DC 7303. DC 7309 names both, and it adds “depending on the predominant disability.”

Secondary conditions and presumptions

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309(a) lists “Ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal).” Section 3.309(c)(2) lists “Peptic ulcer disease.” for a former prisoner of war interned or detained for not less than 30 days. Neither row prints DC 7309. The Read guide for the schedule title “Peptic ulcer disease” is DC 7304. Section 3.309(d)(2)(vi) lists “Cancer of the stomach.” That row does not say stenosis, and it does not print DC 7309. The 2026-10-01 text does not contain “stenosis.”

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 stenosis of the stomach under DC 7309?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7309 says to rate it as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303) or peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304), depending on the predominant disability. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Does the stomach-cancer listing name this code?

Section 3.309(d) lists “Cancer of the stomach.” That row does not say stenosis, and it does not print DC 7309.

FAQ

What percentage does DC 7309 print?

None on its own cell. It says to rate as DC 7303 or DC 7304, depending on the predominant disability. DC 7303 prints 80, 50, 30, 10, and 0. DC 7304 prints 100, 60, 40, 20, and 0. Education only.

Can DC 7309 be combined with DC 7303 and DC 7304?

The opening of § 4.114 says not to combine ratings under diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 inclusive with each other. DC 7303, DC 7304, and DC 7309 are in that span. When more than one rating is warranted under those codes, assign a single evaluation under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture.

What happens after three months at the ulcer 100 percent line?

The DC 7304 note says to rate on residuals as determined by mandatory VA medical examination, and to apply § 3.105(e) to any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7309 and whether DC 7303 or DC 7304 was the predominant disability.
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 7309 • va.gov

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