Dumping Syndrome (Postgastrectomy)

DC 7308Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7308

A condition that occurs after stomach surgery where food moves too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and sweating after meals. The VA rates dumping syndrome based on symptom severity, weight loss, and nutritional impact.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how often symptoms occur and how severe each episode is. The examiner will ask about the frequency, duration, and intensity of your episodes, as well as how they affect your ability to work.

Diagnostic code

DC 7308

Rating range

20% – 60%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7308. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

You have severe dumping syndrome with nausea, sweating, circulatory disturbances after meals, diarrhea with weight loss, and malnutrition with anemia. Symptoms are debilitating and significantly impair your daily functioning.

What the VA looks for

Severe postgastrectomy symptoms documented
Nausea, sweating, and circulatory disturbance after meals
Significant weight loss and malnutrition
Anemia confirmed on lab work
Hypoglycemic episodes documented
Significant impairment of daily activities and employment

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the connection to in-service gastric surgery — the VA needs to see the surgical history and how dumping syndrome developed as a direct result.
⚠Not tracking weight changes before and after meals — dumping syndrome often causes measurable weight loss that supports higher ratings.
⚠Not documenting the timing and severity of symptoms after meals — keeping a food and symptom diary that shows the rapid onset of symptoms after eating is powerful evidence.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions such as hypoglycemia, anemia, or malnutrition that commonly result from dumping syndrome.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Stomach and Duodenal Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Dumping Syndrome (Postgastrectomy)

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 7308

Rating range

20% – 60%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Severe postgastrectomy symptoms documented
Nausea, sweating, and circulatory disturbance after meals
Significant weight loss and malnutrition
Anemia confirmed on lab work
Hypoglycemic episodes documented
Significant impairment of daily activities and employment

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the connection to in-service gastric surgery — the VA needs to see the surgical history and how dumping syndrome developed as a direct result.

⚠Not tracking weight changes before and after meals — dumping syndrome often causes measurable weight loss that supports higher ratings.

⚠Not documenting the timing and severity of symptoms after meals — keeping a food and symptom diary that shows the rapid onset of symptoms after eating is powerful evidence.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions such as hypoglycemia, anemia, or malnutrition that commonly result from dumping syndrome.