Peptic Ulcer VA Claims Guide
Peptic ulcer disease covers open sores in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) and the upper small intestine (duodenal ulcer). The VA rates all forms under a single code, DC 7304, with levels from 0% to 100% based on symptom frequency, severity, and hospitalization. This guide walks the whole path: how service connection works, how a peptic ulcer gets connected to your service (directly, through the rarely-used chronic-disease presumptive under 38 CFR 3.309(a), or secondary to another condition), what evidence you need, why these claims get denied, the digestive anti-pyramiding rule, a checklist before you file, what the claims process looks like step by step, how to read your decision letter, and what to do whether you win or you're denied.
Overview
Peptic ulcers are open sores that form on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper portion of the small intestine (the duodenum). The most common causes are infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Stress does not cause peptic ulcers directly, but it can worsen symptoms. All forms of peptic ulcer disease (gastric, duodenal, or marginal) are rated under a single code, diagnostic code 7304 (older schedules used a separate DC 7305), in the digestive system schedule at 38 CFR 4.114.
Common symptoms include burning or gnawing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and, in more severe cases, vomiting blood (hematemesis) or dark tarry stools (melena) from internal bleeding.
Types of Peptic Ulcer
Gastric ulcer
A sore on the stomach wall lining. Classified under DC 7304 as part of peptic ulcer disease (previously had a separate code in older schedules, now consolidated).
Duodenal ulcer
A sore on the lining of the upper small intestine. Also classified under DC 7304. Gastric and duodenal ulcers are treated as the same disease for rating purposes under the current schedule.
How Service Connection Works, At a High Level
Before getting into the specific pathways below, it helps to understand the three things every direct peptic ulcer claim ultimately has to show. This is the same basic test that applies to any VA disability claim, just applied to this condition. If any one of the three is missing, the claim is denied, so it is worth making sure all three are covered before you file.
- A current diagnosis. A doctor's finding that you actually have an ulcer, or a related stomach disease, now or during your claim. Claims have failed purely because no current ulcer diagnosis was documented in the record.
- An in-service event, or a service-connected condition behind it. Something during service, an injury, an illness, symptoms, or a toxic exposure, that connects to the ulcer, or a disability VA has already service-connected that caused or worsened it.
- A medical nexus. A doctor's opinion connecting your current ulcer to service, or to the service-connected condition, and explaining the reasoning, not just stating a conclusion.
What VA Looks For: Tests, Records, and Diagnostic Codes
Whether you are filing directly or secondary to another condition, the record VA actually reviews centers on a small set of documents and data points.
- Diagnostic testing: an endoscopy or diagnostic imaging report confirming the ulcer. Under 38 CFR 3.309(a), clinical findings alone can support a diagnosis if the preponderance of the evidence points to peptic ulcer, but objective testing when available is the stronger foundation.
- H. pylori test results: a urea breath test, stool antigen test, or biopsy confirming or ruling out the bacterial cause. This matters both for diagnosis and for the service-connection theory VA will consider.
- Medication records: for the 20% and 40% rating levels, records naming the medication and showing it is prescribed for daily management, not an "as needed" (PRN) basis.
- The diagnostic codes involved: DC 7304 for the peptic ulcer itself, plus whatever code applies to the condition you're connecting it to, for example DC 7206 (GERD), DC 7346 (hiatal hernia), DC 9400 (generalized anxiety disorder), DC 9411 (PTSD), DC 9434 (major depressive disorder), or a musculoskeletal code such as DC 5237 (lumbosacral or cervical strain) where chronic NSAID use is the connecting mechanism.
- The actual form the examiner fills out: the Stomach and Duodenal Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), discussed in more detail later in this guide.
Service Connection Paths
There are four recognized paths to service connection for peptic ulcer disease.
1. Direct service connection
The standard three-element path: a current diagnosis, an in-service event or onset, and a medical nexus linking the two. For peptic ulcers this typically means showing that symptoms (stomach pain, nausea, vomiting) began during active duty, or that service-related factors such as chronic NSAID use, stress, or dietary patterns aggravated a preexisting tendency. In-service medical records documenting GI complaints are the starting point. Credible statements about when symptoms began, and that they never stopped since service, can also carry a direct claim, especially where VA never obtained a medical opinion against the veteran.
2. Chronic-disease presumptive
Peptic ulcer disease is listed by name in 38 CFR 3.309(a) as a chronic disease eligible for presumptive service connection. The regulation lists "Ulcers, peptic (gastric or duodenal)" as a qualifying condition.
Under this path, if a peptic ulcer was diagnosed in service or within one year following separation from active duty, and manifested to a compensable degree, service connection is presumed without requiring a specific nexus opinion. It can also be shown through "continuity of symptoms" since service. The presumption also requires satisfaction of the rebuttable presumption provisions of 38 CFR 3.307 (wartime or post-January 1, 1947 peacetime service). Claims have still failed where the first documented ulcer showed up many years, sometimes over a decade, after separation, since that gap undercuts both the one-year presumptive window and a continuity-of-symptoms theory.
3. Secondary service connection (38 CFR 3.310)
Secondary service connection applies when a service-connected condition is a proximate cause of the peptic ulcer, or when a service-connected condition aggravates the ulcer beyond its natural progression. This is a frequently used and well-supported pathway; in practice, tying an ulcer to a condition VA has already service-connected is often a more direct route than proving the ulcer itself started in service. Two patterns are well documented in the medical literature and in published Board decisions:
- NSAIDs prescribed for a service-connected condition: Long-term use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, and similar drugs) is one of the two primary causes of peptic ulcers. Veterans who take NSAIDs for a service-connected orthopedic, musculoskeletal, or pain condition and who develop a diagnosed peptic ulcer have a recognized secondary theory. A medical opinion confirming that chronic NSAID use caused or contributed to the ulcer documents the link, and medical literature showing that a specific pain medication can cause stomach ulcers has supported a grant when applied to the veteran's own facts. The absence of competing evidence pointing to a clearly different cause strengthens this path.
- Service-connected mental health condition: Stress from a service-connected anxiety disorder, PTSD, or depression can exacerbate peptic ulcer symptoms. Under 38 CFR 3.310(b), if a service-connected mental health condition aggravates a non-service-connected peptic ulcer beyond its natural disease course, the VA rates the degree of aggravation. The rating covers only the increase in severity attributable to the service-connected condition, not the baseline severity the ulcer would have had on its own.
- Service-connected reflux (GERD): Peptic ulcers have also been connected as secondary to an already service-connected GERD diagnosis, on a similar causation-and-aggravation theory, supported by medical literature linking reflux and ulcer disease applied to the veteran's own facts.
4. Aggravation of a preexisting condition (38 CFR 3.306)
If medical evidence establishes that a veteran had peptic ulcers before entering service, and service worsened the condition beyond natural progression, service connection through aggravation is available under 38 CFR 3.306. The VA requires baseline severity documentation, and the claimant must show a meaningful increase beyond what the natural course of the disease would have produced.
H. pylori and toxic exposure
H. pylori infection is the other primary cause of peptic ulcers. Veterans can argue a direct connection if they were exposed to conditions in service that are known to transmit H. pylori (contaminated food or water sources). Toxic exposure under TERA may also apply if a veteran was exposed to substances linked to GI injury during service, including a documented toxic exposure risk activity in a combat-support role or general burn pit and toxic exposure during a deployment. Because peptic ulcer is listed as a chronic disease under 3.309(a), the chronic-disease framework is available even where the exposure theory is argued, once the condition is diagnosed.
Reopening a prior denial
If a peptic ulcer claim was denied before, new and relevant evidence, such as a new diagnosis or a new medical opinion, can reopen it under the lower legal threshold in 38 CFR 3.156 and 3.2501. A prior denial reopened with a new private medical opinion has gone on to result in a grant. Reopening is a separate legal question from whether the underlying claim is ultimately granted, so it is worth pursuing even where the original denial felt final.
Established secondary pathways at a glance:
Secondary to NSAID use for a service-connected condition (e.g. DC 5237)
Chronic NSAID use for a service-connected orthopedic, musculoskeletal, or pain condition is one of the two primary recognized causes of peptic ulcers. A nexus opinion naming the specific medication, the duration of use, and the mechanism is the central evidence item on this pathway.
Secondary to a mental health condition (DC 9400, DC 9411, DC 9434)
Stress from a service-connected anxiety disorder, PTSD, or depression is a recognized aggravating factor for peptic ulcer disease. This pathway is usually argued as aggravation under 38 CFR 3.310(b) rather than direct causation, so the rating covers only the increase in severity the service-connected condition caused.
Secondary to GERD (DC 7206) or hiatal hernia (DC 7346)
A service-connected reflux or hiatal hernia diagnosis has supported secondary connection for a peptic ulcer, on the medical theory that chronic reflux contributes to ulcer formation. Remember that the digestive anti-pyramiding rule (see below) still applies once both conditions are service-connected.
Direct connection through toxic exposure or a TERA
A documented toxic exposure risk activity, or general burn pit and toxic exposure during a deployment, can support a direct service-connection theory for a peptic ulcer once the condition is diagnosed. This pathway works alongside, not instead of, the chronic-disease presumptive discussed above.
Rating Criteria Under DC 7304
All peptic ulcer disease (gastric, duodenal, or marginal) is rated under diagnostic code 7304 in the digestive system schedule at 38 CFR 4.114. The five rating levels are:
- What the VA measures at your C&P exam
- Evidence that has won at the Board
- Inside the rater's playbook: grant, denial, and remand rates
- Secondary condition map
Post-operative residuals and the 100% level
When a veteran has had surgery for perforation or hemorrhage, the VA assigns 100% for the three-month period immediately following the operation. After that period, a mandatory future examination is required (38 CFR 4.114 specifically calls for a routine future exam for this condition). At that exam, the VA rates the residuals. Residual conditions that fall outside the DC 7304 criteria and carry their own diagnostic codes outside the 7301-7329 range can be rated separately.
The Anti-Pyramiding Rule for Digestive Conditions
The VA does not pay separate ratings for multiple digestive conditions when those conditions share overlapping symptoms (see 38 CFR 4.113 and 4.114). The rule states that ratings under diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 (inclusive) cannot be combined with each other. When more than one rating would otherwise apply, the VA assigns a single evaluation under the code that reflects the predominant disability picture, and elevates it to the next higher level if the overall picture warrants it.
Peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304) falls within that range. This means a veteran with both a service-connected peptic ulcer and, for example, service-connected GERD cannot receive separate disability percentages for each. The VA rates the predominant condition only.
The anti-pyramiding rule applies to symptoms within the digestive range, not to separately rated conditions outside it. A service-connected mental health condition or a separate orthopedic condition that is also service-connected is not affected by this rule and is rated independently.
Evidence That Wins These Claims
Across the Board's published DC 7304 decisions, a private nexus opinion in the file goes with a much higher grant rate, shown below.
- Diagnosis documentation: An endoscopy or imaging report confirming the ulcer is the clearest diagnostic evidence. Under 38 CFR 3.309(a), clinical findings alone can support a diagnosis if the preponderance of the evidence points to peptic ulcer, but objective testing when available is the stronger foundation.
- H. pylori test results: A positive H. pylori test (urea breath test, stool antigen test, or biopsy) confirms the bacterial cause. This matters both for diagnosis and for service-connection theory.
- Medication records: For the 20% and 40% rating levels, daily prescribed medication is a formal criterion. Records naming the medication and showing it is prescribed for daily management are required. "As needed" prescriptions do not satisfy this element.
- NSAID prescription history: For the NSAID-secondary theory, pharmacy records or medical notes documenting chronic NSAID use for a service-connected condition establish the causal link in the record.
- Symptom diary: The 20% vs. 40% distinction turns on how many qualifying episodes (each lasting at least three consecutive days) happened in the past 12 months. A diary with dated entries recording episodes, symptoms, duration, and medication taken supports the frequency count and is a concrete addition to a DBQ.
- The Stomach and Duodenal Conditions DBQ: The VA uses the stomach and duodenal conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire for peptic ulcer claims. For the 20% and 40% levels, the examiner must check both the episode frequency box and the daily medication box. If a private DBQ is used, every referenced record must be available to the rater. A reference to a document not in the file can undermine the opinion's credibility.
- In-service records: Sick-call visits, pharmacy records for antacids or GI medications, or treatment notes for stomach complaints during service establish the in-service event. Even records that document "GI symptoms" without a formal ulcer diagnosis can support a continuity narrative.
- Nexus letter that explains its reasoning: For secondary claims and direct claims outside the presumptive window, a physician's written opinion connecting the ulcer to service or to a service-connected condition is central. A winning opinion does not just state a conclusion, it explains why, ideally pointing to established medical literature applied to the veteran's own specific facts rather than a bare assertion. See the nexus letter guide.
- Hospitalization records: Required for the 60% level. The records must show hospitalization specifically for manifestations of anemia caused by the peptic ulcer within the past 12 months.
- Credible lay testimony: A veteran's own consistent, credible statements or hearing testimony about continuous stomach symptoms since service can carry a claim, especially where the VA record does not include a medical opinion contradicting it.
Why These Claims Get Denied
Beyond the general "no nexus" and "no current diagnosis" reasons covered above, a few specific denial patterns show up often enough to call out on their own.
- A diagnosis label alone, with no in-service link or nexus. Having an ulcer, even a clearly documented one, is not enough by itself. Claims are denied where the disability plainly exists but nothing in the record ties it to service or to a service-connected condition, for example where the first documented ulcer appears many years after separation with no proof it started in service.
- A doctor's note that states a conclusion without explaining the reasoning. A short opinion that gives no rationale is given little weight, and an exam-free note from a provider outside the relevant specialty, with no supporting exam, can be set aside entirely.
- A large, unexplained gap in treatment. Long stretches with no ulcer treatment weaken a continuity-of-symptoms argument, particularly when the first ulcer finding comes a decade or more after service.
- Other recognized causes going unaddressed. VA weighs non-service causes such as H. pylori infection, NSAID use, alcohol, smoking, diet, and weight. A claim can be denied when the examiner ties the ulcer to one of these factors instead of to service, and that risk is higher when the record does not address those alternative causes directly.
- The veteran's own belief about the cause, without a doctor's opinion behind it. VA treats the cause of a peptic ulcer as a medical question a non-doctor cannot answer on their own. A theory that a particular food, drink, or an over-the-counter medication caused the ulcer, without medical support, is treated as speculation and does not carry the claim.
- Confusing a rating dispute with the service-connection question. Winning service connection is a different fight from getting a higher percentage. Many "denied" ulcer files are really rating or unemployability (TDIU) disputes for veterans who are already service-connected, and a higher rating is often denied when the documented symptoms simply do not meet the frequency or severity criteria.
Common Mistakes
Patterns the published DC 7304 decisions and the rating rule flag most often. In the Board's classified service-connection denials for peptic ulcer disease, a missing medical nexus is the single largest reason.
- No nexus opinion in the file. "No nexus" is the leading denial reason for DC 7304. A useful opinion names the in-service event or the service-connected primary and explains the link.
- Treating an "as needed" prescription as daily medication. The 20% and 40% levels require management by daily prescribed medication. A PRN prescription does not satisfy that element, and treatment records that do not state daily use leave those levels unsupported.
- Missing the 38 CFR 3.309(a) chronic-disease presumptive. Peptic ulcer is listed by name in 3.309(a). When the ulcer appeared in service or within one year of separation, the claim has a presumptive basis, but the VA does not typically raise it on its own.
- Citing records the rater cannot see. A private DBQ or nexus opinion that references reports not in the claims file can lose credibility. Every record the opinion relies on belongs in the file.
- Expecting separate ratings for peptic ulcer and another digestive condition. Diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 cannot be combined under 38 CFR 4.114. The VA rates the predominant condition under one code rather than stacking percentages.
Do's and Don'ts
A condensed version of everything above, in the order it actually matters when you sit down to build your file.
- Get current medical proof, such as an endoscopy, that you actually have an ulcer now.
- Gather any records showing stomach symptoms during service or soon after you got out.
- Ask your doctor for a nexus opinion that explains, step by step, why your ulcer is linked to service or to a service-connected condition, not a bare conclusion.
- Consider a secondary claim if a service-connected condition, NSAID-managed pain, a mental health condition, or GERD, may have caused or worsened your ulcer.
- Identify any toxic exposures in service and note the one-year presumptive window for chronic diseases under 38 CFR 3.309(a).
- Keep a dated log of flare-up frequency and duration; it drives the 20% vs. 40% distinction.
- Be ready to address other likely causes, H. pylori, NSAIDs, alcohol, smoking, diet, and weight, head on rather than leaving them unaddressed.
- If you were denied before, file with new and relevant evidence to reopen the claim rather than starting over.
- Make sure medication records reflect daily use, not just an "as needed" prescription, if you're aiming for the 20% or 40% level.
- Don't assume a diagnosis label alone wins the claim, you still need the in-service link and the medical nexus.
- Don't rely on a doctor's note that states a conclusion without explaining the reasoning.
- Don't let a long, unexplained gap in treatment go unaddressed in your narrative.
- Don't rely only on your own opinion about what caused it, causation for a peptic ulcer is treated as a medical question.
- Don't confuse a fight over the rating percentage with the separate question of service connection.
- Don't expect stacked ratings for peptic ulcer and another digestive condition in the DC 7301-7329 range.
- Don't skip the 38 CFR 3.309(a) presumptive theory if your ulcer appeared in service or within a year of separation, the VA won't raise it for you.
Common Secondary Conditions
These are the conditions most often linked with peptic ulcer disease in the Board's published decisions. Each bar is the BVA grant rate for DC 7304, with the number of decisions below it. They describe what the Board's record shows across many veterans, not a prediction about any one claim.
Conditions that can cause a peptic ulcer (the ulcer as the secondary)
Claims where a peptic ulcer was argued as secondary to an already service-connected condition, including musculoskeletal conditions managed with NSAIDs, mental health conditions, GERD, and diabetes. This is the "ways to connect via another condition" list:
Conditions a peptic ulcer can cause (the ulcer as the primary)
Conditions veterans have claimed as caused or aggravated by a service-connected peptic ulcer, in other words, conditions secondary to the ulcer once it is already service-connected, including GERD, hiatal hernia, and depressive disorders:
Quick Checklist Before You File
Bring these together before you submit anything.
- Current medical proof, such as an endoscopy, that you actually have an ulcer now.
- Any records showing stomach symptoms during service or soon after you got out.
- A nexus opinion that explains, step by step, why your ulcer is linked to service or to a service-connected condition.
- Whether a secondary claim fits: a service-connected condition (like GERD) or its medication (like a chronic NSAID) may be causing or worsening your ulcer.
- Any toxic exposures in service, and whether the one-year chronic-disease presumptive window under 38 CFR 3.309(a) applies to you.
- A plan to address other likely causes (H. pylori, NSAIDs, alcohol, smoking, diet, weight) directly rather than leaving them unaddressed.
- If you were denied before: new and relevant evidence, such as a new diagnosis, to reopen the claim rather than a repeat of what was already considered.
For the mechanics of actually submitting the claim, see the Standard Claim Guide and the Fully Developed Claim Guide (filing with all your evidence up front can speed up the decision).
The Claims Process, Step by Step
Once you file, your claim moves through a series of hand-offs. Understanding who does what helps you know who to contact, and what to expect, at each stage.
- You file the claim. Directly with VA, through VA.gov, or with the help of an accredited representative.
- VA acknowledges the claim and assigns it for development. A Veteran Service Representative (VSR) is assigned to gather your service treatment records, VA and private medical records, and any other evidence needed.
- The VSR orders a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam if one is needed. Not every claim requires one, but most peptic ulcer claims do, especially secondary claims where a nexus opinion is required.
- The C&P exam is conducted. By a VA clinician or a contracted examiner, who completes a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) documenting the diagnosis, severity, and, where relevant, a nexus opinion.
- The file goes to a Rating Veteran Service Representative (RVSR), the "rater." The rater reviews the complete file, including the exam results, and decides whether service connection is warranted and at what percentage.
- A senior reviewer may review the decision before it's finalized, depending on the complexity of the claim.
- VA issues the decision letter. This states whether the claim is granted or denied, the rating percentage if granted, and the reasons behind the decision.
- If you disagree, you choose an appeal lane. Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or a Board appeal, covered later in this guide.
Who's who: VSO vs. VSR vs. Rater vs. C&P Examiner
Your VSO
An accredited representative from a veterans service organization, or an accredited attorney or claims agent. Not a VA employee. Helps you prepare, gather evidence, and file, and can represent you through an appeal. Has no authority to decide your claim.
VSR (Veteran Service Representative)
VA staff who "develops" your claim: requests records, schedules the C&P exam, and assembles the file. Does not decide the rating.
Rater (RVSR)
VA staff who reviews the completed file and makes the actual decision, service connection or denial, and the percentage. This is the person whose judgment the decision letter reflects.
C&P Examiner
A VA clinician or a contracted medical examiner who conducts the exam and completes the DBQ. Documents findings and, where asked, a nexus opinion. Does not decide the claim.
For the full walkthrough of every stage with more detail, see Inside Your Claim and Claim Stages.
DBQs and Your C&P Exam
A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is the standardized form an examiner completes for your condition, it structures the exam findings into the specific data points VA's rating schedule requires. For peptic ulcer, that's the Stomach and Duodenal Conditions DBQ, which must document episode frequency, duration, and whether daily medication is prescribed. See the DBQ Guide for how these forms work, including whether a private DBQ completed by your own doctor can be submitted instead of relying solely on a VA exam.
Before your C&P exam, bring a clear, specific account of your symptoms, focus on your worst flare-ups and how the condition affects daily function, not just how you feel on an average day. Be consistent with what's already in your medical records and prior statements, and bring your symptom diary if you've kept one. For a full walkthrough of what to expect and how to prepare, see the C&P Exam Prep Guide.
Reading Your Decision Letter, and What to Do If Denied
Your decision letter has two parts: a narrative section explaining the reasoning (often called "reasons and bases"), and a codesheet showing the actual rating percentage, the effective date, and the diagnostic code used. See the Reading Your Decision Letter Guide for how to find and interpret each part, or use the Letter Interpreter tool to upload your own letter and get a plain-English breakdown.
If your claim is denied, or the rating is lower than you expected, you have three main lanes:
- Supplemental Claim: refile with new and relevant evidence, such as a new nexus opinion or a new diagnostic test. See Supplemental Claim Guide.
- Higher-Level Review (HLR): a senior reviewer looks at the same evidence again for a difference of opinion, no new evidence is added. See HLR Guide.
- Board Appeal: your case goes to a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans' Appeals, with options for a direct review, an evidence docket, or a hearing. See Board Appeal Guide.
Not sure which lane fits your situation? See the Appeals decision guide for a side-by-side comparison of all three.
After You Win: Maintaining Your Rating
A grant is not always the end of the story. Keep your treatment consistent, continued follow-up documenting flare-up frequency, severity, and medication, protects you if VA schedules a future reexamination. Not every rating gets reexamined; understand when a rating becomes protected from future review (including Permanent and Total status) and what to do if VA proposes to reduce it. See Protect Your Rating and Future Reexaminations for the specifics.
If your peptic ulcer worsens after the initial grant, for example progressing to more frequent flare-ups or hospitalization for anemia, you can file for an increased rating. See the Rating Increase Guide.
Quick Reference Tables
Secondary Connection Pathways
| Primary Condition | Mechanism | Evidence Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal/pain condition (e.g. DC 5237) | Chronic NSAID use for the service-connected condition | Pharmacy/medical records + nexus opinion naming the medication and duration |
| Anxiety, PTSD, or depression (DC 9400, DC 9411, DC 9434) | Stress aggravating an existing ulcer beyond its natural course | Nexus opinion addressing aggravation under 38 CFR 3.310(b) |
| GERD (DC 7206) or hiatal hernia (DC 7346) | Chronic reflux contributing to ulcer formation | Nexus opinion citing supporting medical literature applied to the veteran's facts |
| Diabetes mellitus (DC 7913) | Documented in Board decisions as a secondary pathway; mechanism varies by case | Nexus opinion specific to the veteran's medication or treatment history |
From Filing to Decision: Who Does What
| Role | Does | Decides your rating? |
|---|---|---|
| VSO / accredited representative | Helps prepare, gather evidence, and file; represents you on appeal | No |
| VSR | Develops the claim: orders records and the C&P exam | No |
| C&P Examiner | Conducts the exam, completes the DBQ, may give a nexus opinion | No / but has a strong impact |
| Rater (RVSR) | Reviews the full file and decides service connection and percentage | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is peptic ulcer a presumptive condition?
What is the highest schedular rating for peptic ulcer?
Can I connect a peptic ulcer to NSAIDs I was given for my back or knee?
My medication says "take as needed." Does that count as daily medication for the rating?
Can I get separate ratings for peptic ulcer and GERD?
My ulcer claim was denied before. Can I try again?
Sources
- 38 CFR 4.114, digestive system rating schedule, Diagnostic Codes 7304, 7305, and 7346
- 38 CFR 3.303, basic rules for direct service connection; chronic and continuous symptoms
- 38 CFR 3.309(a), chronic diseases as presumptive conditions, peptic ulcer listed by name
- 38 CFR 3.307, rebuttable presumption provisions
- 38 CFR 3.310, secondary and aggravated disabilities
- 38 CFR 3.304, presumption of soundness; 38 CFR 3.306, aggravation of a preexisting condition
- 38 CFR 3.156 and 3.2501, new and relevant evidence to reopen a claim; 38 CFR 3.102, benefit of the doubt
- 38 CFR 3.361(c)(1), causation standard for Section 1151 treatment-related claims
- 38 USC 1110 and 1131 (service connection); 38 USC 1153 (aggravation); 38 USC 5107(b) (benefit of the doubt); 38 USC 5108 (reopening); 38 USC 1155 (disability ratings)
- VA.gov, illnesses diagnosed within one year of discharge
This guide is educational only, not legal or medical advice, and not a prediction of any individual claim outcome. Rating criteria may change; verify current details at 38 CFR 4.114. For help with your own claim, speak with a VA-accredited representative.