Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing)

DC 7203Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7203

Difficulty swallowing food or liquids, which can result from esophageal conditions, neurological injuries, or surgical scarring. Rated based on severity and need for dietary modification.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 7203

Rating range

10% – 80%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7203. 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 total obstruction — you require tube feeding or parenteral nutrition because nothing can pass through your esophagus.

What the VA looks for

Total esophageal obstruction documented
Tube feeding (PEG tube) or parenteral nutrition required
Severe malnutrition and weight loss
Frequent hospitalizations
Inability to maintain adequate nutrition orally

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a barium swallow or endoscopy to document the obstruction — the VA needs objective imaging evidence, not just symptoms.
⚠Not documenting weight loss due to difficulty eating — track your weight at every medical appointment.
⚠Not connecting to service-connected conditions such as GERD causing stricture or TBI affecting swallowing — establish the causal chain clearly.
⚠Not documenting aspiration pneumonia episodes from dysphagia — these complications support a higher rating and show the severity of the condition.