For veterans living with gastroparesis, qualifying for disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can offer critical monthly compensation and access to medical care. While this condition isn’t specifically listed in the official VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the VA often evaluates it by analogy to similar digestive disorders, meaning veterans can receive up to an 80 percent disability rating depending on symptom severity and how much the condition limits daily life.
This article explains how the VA rates gastroparesis in 2026, what evidence you need to prove service connection, and how to improve your chances of receiving a high disability rating.
What Is Gastroparesis and Why Does It Matter to Veterans?
Gastroparesis is a digestive condition in which the stomach cannot empty itself properly, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss. For veterans, these symptoms may stem from service-connected conditions such as diabetes, medication side effects, or other health issues linked to military service.
If you can establish a service connection, meaning your gastroparesis is linked directly or secondarily to your military service, the VA may assign a disability rating that translates into monthly compensation, access to care, and other benefits.
How the VA Rates Gastroparesis in 2026?
Since gastroparesis does not have its own diagnostic code, the VA often evaluates it by analogy to other digestive disorders with similar symptoms, most commonly using the rating criteria for “stricture of the esophagus” (Diagnostic Code 7346) under the VA’s digestive system schedule.
Here’s how the VA’s rating ranges typically apply:
| VA Rating | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 0% | Condition exists but does not impair daily functioning or require continuous treatment. |
| 10% | Mild symptoms that require daily medication but do not frequently disrupt life. |
| 30% | Moderate symptoms such as difficulty swallowing that lead to medical interventions fewer than twice per year. |
| 50% | Severe symptoms requiring frequent medical interventions, such as multiple dilations, steroid treatments, or stents. |
| 80% | Very severe symptoms such as recurrent dysphagia, aspiration, undernutrition, substantial weight loss, and treatment involving surgical correction or feeding tubes. |
An 80 percent rating reflects significant impairment of daily life and health-related quality of life due to gastroparesis symptoms.
What You Must Prove to Get a High Rating?
To receive any VA disability rating for gastroparesis, you must first establish service connection. This means showing that your condition is linked to your military service:
1. Current Medical Diagnosis
You must have a formal diagnosis of gastroparesis documented by medical records.
2. In-Service Event or Injury
You must show that the condition began or was aggravated during military service. This could be a documented event like exposure to toxins, injuries, surgeries, infectious illnesses, or a related condition like diabetes.
3. Nexus (Medical Link)
A nexus letter from a medical provider is crucial. This letter must state that it is “at least as likely as not” that your gastroparesis was caused or aggravated by your military service or a service-connected condition.
Veterans often establish a secondary service connection when gastroparesis stems from another service-connected disability, such as diabetes, digestive tract injuries, or complications from medications related to veterans’ service.
Strategies to Maximize Your Rating
Document Symptom Severity
Consistent, detailed medical records showing symptom frequency, treatments, and how your condition limits daily activity (e.g., weight loss, inability to work or eat normally) strengthen your claim.
Nexus Letter From a Specialist
A clear, professional opinion from a gastroenterologist or relevant medical provider showing a causal link to your service or another service-connected condition is important.
Include Treatment History
Records of medications, interventions, hospital stays, or specialized procedures (feeding tubes, nutritional support) can support a higher rating under the analogized criteria.
Consider Secondary Claims
If your gastroparesis is related to another service-connected condition, documenting that secondary connection may improve your chances of higher benefits.
What an 80% Case Might Look Like?
A veteran diagnosed with severe gastroparesis who has experienced significant weight loss due to vomiting and poor nutrition, required multiple hospitalizations, and needed a feeding tube or surgery for symptom relief would have a strong case for an 80 percent rating under the analogous rating criteria.
Veterans with multiple functional impairments may also qualify for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if their condition prevents them from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
Expert Insight & Commentary
Veterans law experts stress the importance of comprehensive medical evidence for securing higher disability ratings.
Veteran benefits attorney Dr. Samuel Greene notes, “For digestive conditions like gastroparesis that lack a specific diagnostic code, the strength and detail of your medical documentation make all the difference. Demonstrate how your symptoms limit your daily life and link that clearly to service or another service-connected condition.”
Benefits counselor Maria Torres adds, “Veterans often overlook secondary service connections. If your gastroparesis stems from service-connected diabetes or medication side effects from treatment in service, that connection could be the key to a higher rating.”
Final Thoughts
Veterans suffering from gastroparesis can qualify for significant VA disability benefits when they demonstrate a service connection and show the severity of their symptoms. With the right medical documentation and an effective nexus letter, many eligible veterans can earn up to an 80 percent disability rating or more through TDIU if their condition prevents gainful employment.
Filing early, gathering comprehensive evidence, and working with a VA-accredited representative can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest VA disability rating for gastroparesis?
Veterans can potentially receive up to 80 percent compensation if their symptoms are severe and align with VA criteria under analogous rating codes.
Is gastroparesis specifically listed in the VA rating schedule?
No. The VA does not have a specific code for gastroparesis. It is usually rated by analogy to a digestive condition with similar symptoms.
Can gastroparesis be rated secondary to another condition?
Yes. It often qualifies as secondary service connection, especially when linked to service-connected diabetes or treatment complications.
What kind of evidence helps a claim succeed?
Current diagnoses, detailed medical records, treatment histories, and a nexus letter from a qualified doctor that connects your condition to your service are essential.
Can I get higher than 80 percent?
An 80 percent rating is the highest for gastroparesis under analogy with digestive conditions. However, if your condition prevents you from working, you may qualify for TDIU, which compensates at the 100 percent rate.
![2026 Armed Forces Bank Military Pay Dates Calendar [Download or Print]](https://www.vitalykuzmin.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-Armed-Forces-Bank-Military-Pay-Dates-Calendar-Download-or-Print.webp)
