Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Acid reflux. Cannot be combined with IBS — pyramiding rule.
Common symptoms
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chronic cough
VA rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health |
| 30% | Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health |
| 10% | With two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity |
Pro tips
Often claimed secondary to
If you're already service-connected for any of these, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is often a viable secondary claim.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Mental health condition from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Stressor verification required (except combat-related, which is presumed if consistent with circumstances of service).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Persistent, excessive worry across multiple domains. Rated identically to PTSD under §4.130.
Filing this claim
For most veterans this is filed as a secondary claim. You need a nexus letter linking it to a service-connected primary condition. Use the letter generators to draft your nexus letter and Statement in Support of Claim.
Step by step
- File an Intent to File (Form 21-0966) to lock your effective date.
- Confirm you have a current medical diagnosis in a medical record.
- Get a nexus letter — magic phrase: "at least as likely as not."
- Write a Statement in Support of Claim (21-4138).
- If applicable, gather buddy statements (21-10210).
- File the formal 21-526EZ.
Source: 38 CFR §4.114. For exact regulatory language, consult eCFR Title 38. This is general education — for your specific case, consult a VA-accredited representative.