Diagnostic Code 7346: Hiatal Hernia / Paraesophageal Hernia Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.114
- Rating range
- 0% to 80%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Digestive system
The VA rates Hiatal Hernia / Paraesophageal Hernia under diagnostic code 7346 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 7346 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications What raters look fordocumented history; no daily symptoms; no daily medications required |
| 10% | Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic What raters look foresophageal stricture; daily medications to control dysphagia; otherwise asymptomatic |
| 30% | Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year What raters look forrecurrent esophageal stricture causing dysphagia; dilatation no more than 2 times per year |
| 50% | Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following: (1) dilatation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement What raters look forrecurrent or refractory stricture causing dysphagia; dilatation 3 or more times per year; dilatation using steroids at least once per year; esophageal stent placement |
| 80% | Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a) and treatment with either surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube) What raters look foraspiration, undernutrition, or substantial weight loss; surgical correction or PEG tube |
DC 7346 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 210 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7346 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 40.5%, denied 44.8% and sent 14.8% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7346 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Hiatal Hernia. The Hiatal Hernia condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Hiatal Hernia appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 808 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Hiatal Hernia, 2021 to 2026. The Hiatal Hernia condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Hiatal Hernia appeals generally rather than DC 7346 specifically. The DC 7346 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7346?
Diagnostic code 7346 is the VA rating schedule entry for Hiatal Hernia / Paraesophageal Hernia, 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 7346?
DC 7346 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 7346 require?
The 80% rating for Hiatal Hernia / Paraesophageal Hernia requires: Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a) and treatment with either surgical correction or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube).
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7346?
In 208 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7346 from 2021 to 2026, 40.4% were granted, 44.7% denied and 14.9% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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