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GERD (acid reflux) is often claimed as secondary to medication for another service-connected condition or to a service-connected digestive issue; the secondary nexus is the usual battleground.
VA rating schedule, diagnostic code 7206
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), often called acid reflux, happens when stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus and cause symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation. To be paid for it as a service-connected disability, the VA generally looks for three things: a current diagnosis, something that happened during service, and a link (often called a "nexus") connecting the two. The VA can also recognize GERD as a "secondary" condition—meaning it was caused or made worse by another disability that is already service-connected (for example, by medications taken for another service-connected illness).
For a long time the VA had no code just for GERD, so it was rated "by analogy" to a hiatal hernia under Diagnostic Code 7346. Effective May 19, 2024, the VA added its own diagnostic code for GERD, Diagnostic Code 7206, found in the digestive-system rating schedule at 38 CFR 4.114. Under DC 7206, GERD is evaluated much like a stricture (narrowing) of the esophagus, and a higher percentage is driven by how serious and well-documented the esophageal problems are—not by heartburn alone.
The rating levels run 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, and 80%. In simple terms: 0% is a documented history with no daily symptoms or daily medication; 10% is a documented stricture needing daily medication to control trouble swallowing (dysphagia) but otherwise no symptoms; 30% is a recurrent stricture causing dysphagia needing widening (dilatation) no more than twice a year; 50% is a recurrent or stubborn (refractory) stricture needing dilatation 3 or more times a year, steroid dilatation, or a stent; and 80% is a recurrent or refractory stricture with dysphagia plus things like aspiration, undernutrition, or major weight loss, treated with surgery or a feeding (PEG) tube. The VA's notes say these findings should be documented by tests such as a barium swallow, CT scan, or endoscopy.
GERD is not generally listed on the VA's special "presumptive" exposure lists (such as Agent Orange or PACT Act burn-pit conditions), so the connection to service is usually shown through direct service connection or as a secondary condition. The direct-connection rules are in 38 CFR 3.303, and the rules for conditions caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability are in 38 CFR 3.310. If a claim is denied, that is a starting point, and the VA has appeal options. This is general educational information about how the VA's rules work—it is not legal advice and not a VA decision about any individual claim.
Grounded in federal regulations and VA guidance, independently reviewed June 2026. Educational information, not legal advice or a VA determination.
Across 22,930 real Board appeals for GERD (acid reflux)
A denial is often not the end either — remands (shown below) are sent back for more development and can still end in a grant. These are historical outcomes, not a prediction of your case.
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Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways GERD (acid reflux) was linked to service:
In appeals where GERD (acid reflux) was the only condition decided and the Board granted it, the rating most often assigned was:
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
The Veteran's OSA is granted as service connected. The Veteran's infectious disease claim and stomach disability claim are remanded for further examination.
The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS with GERD, and OSA were denied. The claim for OSA was granted due to the receipt of new evidence showing a current disability.
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
Jump to the decisions from a specific year.
New decisions are added every week, and older years are actively being backfilled — a year that looks thin or missing here (especially 2011–2017) is a gap in our library, not in the Board’s decisions.
Veterans appealing GERD (acid reflux) often look at outcomes for these too:
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.