If you are a veteran suffering from service-connected gastritis, you may be eligible for up to a 60% disability rating. This rating amounts to at least $1,319.65 per month in disability pay as of the current compensation rates.
Gastritis refers to the inflammation of the stomach lining, causing pain. Veterans suffering from gastritis must prove service connection to get disability benefits. The ratings provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs will depend on the severity of the condition.
In this article, we will discuss the available disability ratings for gastritis.
Gastritis Definition
When your stomach lining is damaged, it can result in inflammation, or otherwise known as gastritis. This condition usually results from several causes, including regular use of pain relievers, alcoholism, etc.
There are two types of gastritis – acute and chronic. This disorder can slowly lead to ulcers or stomach cancer.
Here are the symptoms of gastritis –
- Nausea
- Burning pain in your upper abdomen
- Worsening pain when eating
- A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after a meal
- Vomiting
VA Rating for Gastritis
The VA uses diagnostic code 7307 to rate gastritis. Here are the available ratings for this condition –
- 10% Rating: When you have a chronic case of gastritis accompanied by mild symptoms and small nodular lesions, you may be eligible for a 10% disability rating. “Nodular lesions” are abnormal, spherical growths or lumps in or on tissues such as the skin or organs. These nodules can range in size and are caused by a variety of medical disorders, including infections, inflammatory illnesses, or malignancies.
- 30% Rating: If there are many small eroded or ulcerated areas causing symptoms, you may receive a 30% rating. “Eroded” means that the surface of these areas is gradually wearing away, and “ulcerated” means they may have open sores. Additionally, the person is experiencing symptoms related to these eroded or ulcerated areas.
- 60% Rating: When chronic gastritis leads to severe hemorrhages (bleeding from the stomach lining), or there are large ulcerated or eroded areas, you may be eligible for a 60% disability rating.
Conclusion
While the disability ratings are limited to 60% for gastritis, you may get more compensation if the condition has left you unable to work. This is called Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
Make sure to prepare a solid claim to ensure the maximum benefits for your condition. In this case, the experts at VA Disability Coach can help by reviewing your application.