Diagnostic Code 7303: Chronic Complications of Upper GI Surgery Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.114
- Rating range
- 0% to 80%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Digestive system
The VA rates Chronic Complications of Upper GI Surgery under diagnostic code 7303 in 38 CFR § 4.114. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7303 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Post-operative status, asymptomatic What raters look forasymptomatic after surgery |
| 10% | With either nausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment What raters look fornausea or vomiting managed by ongoing medical treatment |
| 30% | 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 What raters look forvomiting two or more times per week or despite medical treatment; discomfort or pain within an hour of eating requiring ongoing oral dietary modification; three to five watery bowel movements per day every day |
| 50% | 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 What raters look fordaily vomiting despite dietary modification or medication; six or more watery bowel movements per day every day; post-prandial light-headedness with sweating needing medication for dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying |
| 80% | Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months What raters look forcontinuous TPN or tube feeding longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months |
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7303?
Diagnostic code 7303 is the VA rating schedule entry for Chronic Complications of Upper GI Surgery, found in 38 CFR § 4.114. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7303?
DC 7303 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7303 require?
The 80% rating for Chronic Complications of Upper GI Surgery requires: Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or tube feeding for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months.
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