GERD: VA claim review preparation
Clarify the diagnosed esophageal condition, why service connection or the assigned evaluation was disputed, and the dates of the evidence.

Start with the notice
- Keep the complete decision notice, the reasons for each denied issue, favorable findings, evidence list, and instructions for review. Separate a denied service connection from a dispute about the percentage or effective date.
- Mark which disputed fact each record addresses. For an HLR, point to evidence already in the record; a Supplemental Claim requires new and relevant evidence. Verify the available lane before sending anything.
- Keep a copy of the form, attachments and filing receipt. These preparation notes do not file a claim or establish that VA received it.

Condition-specific records to gather
- Gather the diagnosis, endoscopy or other relevant test reports, prescriptions and treatment history.
- Document actual swallowing difficulties, interventions and effects on eating or daily activity, distinguishing clinician findings from your observations.
- If claiming a link to another service-connected condition or its treatment, identify it and ask a clinician to address the claimed causal or aggravating relationship.

Current digestive criteria include GERD under Diagnostic Code 7206. Do not assume older hiatal-hernia criteria or another veteran’s outcome controls your rating period.

Notes for you and your representative:
Disputed issue:
Record / date / what it addresses:
Missing information:
Next step and filing receipt:

U.S. federal VA benefits. Educational preparation, not medical or legal advice; not a VA form or a filing. Keep your completed copy private. A historical Board outcome does not predict your result.
Official sources reviewed 2026-10-07:
VA: evidence needed for a disability claim: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/
38 CFR 4.114: current digestive rating criteria: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.114
VA: Esophageal Conditions DBQ: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/docs/esophageal-disorders.pdf
38 CFR 3.310: secondary causation and aggravation: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.310
https://www.veterans-rights.com/appeal-options
https://www.veterans-rights.com/deadlines
https://www.veterans-rights.com/find-a-rep