VA Disability for GERD Secondary to Anxiety 

Veterans suffering from anxiety may develop GERD as a secondary condition due to the physical effects of chronic anxiety on the body. Anxiety often triggers increased acid production, disrupts digestion, and can lead to behaviors like overeating or smoking, which worsen GERD symptoms.

How to Get the VA Disability Rating 

If you have medical evidence that your GERD is aggravated or caused by your anxiety disorder, VA may grant a secondary service connection for the condition. 

To prove their claim and obtain a VA rating for GERD, veterans should provide:

• Diagnosis for both conditions 
• Nexus letter explaining how anxiety caused or worsened GERD
• Personal statements from the veteran and family or service members detailing the effect of anxiety on the veteran’s digestive system

VA Ratings for GERD Secondary to Anxiety

VA rates GERD secondary to anxiety at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50% or 80%, with a large emphasis on daily symptoms (learn what to expect at the C&P exam), medication use, and whether or not the condition requires treatments.

• 0% – GERD has no daily symptoms and does not require daily medications 
• 10% – Esophageal stricture(s) requiring daily medications to control dysphagia 
• 30% – Recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia and requiring dilatation no more than 2 times per year 
• 50% – Recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia and requiring 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 
• 80% – 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 and treatment with either surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s) or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube 

Case Example: Winning a Claim for GERD Secondary to Anxiety

In this case, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army from September 1963 to March 1968 filed a claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sought compensation based on its aggravation by his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The veteran reported that his GERD symptoms worsened significantly when he experienced anxiety or nervousness. The claim initially resulted in a noncompensable rating, but the veteran pursued an appeal, arguing that his symptoms were more severe than reflected in the rating. 

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals ultimately granted a 10% rating for the veteran’s GERD, recognizing that the veteran’s anxiety exacerbated his GERD symptoms. The Board determined that the combination of GERD symptoms, such as epigastric distress, dysphagia, and pyrosis, were sufficient for a compensable rating. 

How This Claim Was Won

• Medical Evidence Supporting Anxiety as an Aggravating Factor: The veteran’s VA examination and treatment records consistently noted that his GERD symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, were aggravated by his anxiety. A VA examiner specifically linked the veteran’s anxiety to the worsening of GERD, providing a direct secondary connection. 
• Consistent Symptom Reporting: Throughout the appeal, the veteran consistently reported GERD symptoms like regurgitation, right shoulder pain, and episodes of choking, which occurred more frequently when his anxiety was elevated. This consistency in symptom reporting contributed to the Board’s decision. 
• Inadequate Initial Evaluation: The veteran argued that his initial noncompensable rating underestimated the severity of his symptoms. After further review, the Board agreed, granting a compensable rating based on the veteran’s GERD symptoms in conjunction with his anxiety. 
• Legal Precedent for Aggravation by Anxiety: The veteran’s case was supported by legal precedent, allowing for secondary service connection for GERD as it was aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder. The Board applied this rule to justify the compensable rating. 

This case highlights how veterans with anxiety or other mental health conditions can seek secondary service connection for physical conditions like GERD. In this instance, the veteran’s consistent medical documentation and the link between his anxiety and GERD led to a favorable outcome.