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Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery
Diagnostic code 7303 · Digestive system · 38 CFR 4.114
Rating criteria: the exact regulation text
Quoted from 38 CFR 4.114. The "Rating" column is the percentage VA assigns for that level.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| 7303 Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery: | |
| Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months | 80 |
| Any one of the following symptoms with or without pain: (1) daily vomiting despite oral dietary modification or medication; (2) six or more watery bowel movements per day every day, or explosive bowel movements that are difficult to predict or control; (3) post-prandial (meal-induced) light-headedness (syncope) with sweating and the need for medications to specifically treat complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery such as dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying | 50 |
| With two or more of the following symptoms: (1) vomiting two or more times per week or vomiting despite medical treatment; (2) discomfort or pain within an hour of eating and requiring ongoing oral dietary modification; (3) three to five watery bowel movements per day every day | 30 |
| With either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment | 10 |
| Post-operative status, asymptomatic | 0 |
| Note (1): For resection of small intestine, use DC 7328. | |
| Note (2): If pancreatic surgery results in a vitamin or mineral deficiency (e.g., B12, iron, calcium, or fat-soluble vitamins), evaluate under the appropriate vitamin/mineral deficiency code and assign the higher rating. For example, evaluate Vitamin A, B, C or D deficiencies under DC 6313; ocular manifestations of vitamin deficiencies, such as night blindness, under DC 6313; keratitis or keratomalacia due to Vitamin A deficiency under DC 6001; Vitamin E deficiency under neuropathy; and Vitamin K deficiency under prolonged clotting (e.g., DC 7705). | |
| Note (3): This diagnostic code includes operations performed on the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, including bariatric surgery. |
Where else the regulation mentions this code
These lines appear under other codes or headings in the schedule and name this code.
Rate residuals as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303).
Rate as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303) or peptic ulcer disease (DC 7304), depending on the predominant disability.
Post-operative: Rate as chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303).
Note: Rate recurrent ulcer following complete vagotomy under DC 7304 (Peptic ulcer disease), with a minimum rating of 20%; and rate post-operative residuals not addressed by this diagnostic code under DC 7303 (Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery).
Under diagnostic code 7348 (Vagotomy with pyloroplasty or gastroenterostomy)
Following total or partial pancreatectomy, evaluate under Pancreatitis, chronic (DC 7347), Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery (DC 7303), or based on residuals such as malabsorption (Intestine, small, resection of, DC 7328), diarrhea (Irritable bowel syndrome, DC 7319, or Crohn's disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease, DC 7326), or diabetes (DC 7913), whichever provides the highest evaluation
Notes for the whole table
Do not combine ratings under diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 inclusive, 7331, 7342, 7345 through 7350 inclusive, 7352, and 7355 through 7357 inclusive, with each other. Instead, when more than one rating is warranted under those diagnostic codes, assign a single evaluation under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture, and elevate it to the next higher evaluation if warranted by the severity of the overall disability.
Related codes in the regulation
- 7328 Intestine, small, resection ofMentioned together
- 6313 AvitaminosisRated using
- 6001 KeratopathyRated using
- 7705 Immune thrombocytopeniaRated using
- 7308 Postgastrectomy syndromeMentioned together
- 7309 Stomach, stenosis ofMentioned together
- 7310 Stomach, injury of, residualsMentioned together
- 7348 Vagotomy with pyloroplasty or gastroenterostomyMentioned together
- 7357 Post pancreatectomy syndromeMentioned together
The VA exam form for this condition
VA examiners record their findings on a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). Reading it shows you what the exam will measure and ask.
Rules that apply to this body system
Where this comes from
38 CFR 4.114, VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities, from the official eCFR.
Regulation text current as of October 16, 2026.
Change history for this code (38 CFR Part 4, Appendix A): Added May 19, 2024.
Read it on eCFR.govInformation, not advice
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