Hiatal Hernia VA Rating
A hiatal hernia is a medical condition in which part of your stomach bulges into your chest through a tiny opening in your diaphragm. For veterans, a hiatal hernia may be service-connected if it developed during active military service from heavy lifting, physical strain, or other service-related factors.
Based on your symptoms, the severity of your condition, and its impact on your daily life, you may qualify for a hiatal hernia VA rating and disability benefits if your hiatal hernia is service-connected and meets the VA’s criteria.
A VA rating is a percentage from zero to a hundred that the VA assigns based on the type and the severity of your injuries and condition. This rating will directly determine how much compensation you will receive from the VA. The VA will look at several factors to determine how to rate your disability. This includes medical records that may have doctor and hospital information, testing, and also statements from employers, friends, family, colleagues. The VA considers all of this evidence collectively, and at that point they’re able to issue a decision.
A VA rating is a percentage from zero to a hundred that the VA assigns based on the type and the severity of your injuries and condition. This rating will directly determine how much compensation you will receive from the VA. The VA will look at several factors to determine how to rate your disability. This includes medical records that may have doctor and hospital information, testing, and also statements from employers, friends, family, colleagues. The VA considers all of this evidence collectively, and at that point they’re able to issue a decision.
VA Disability Rating for Hiatal Hernia
The Department of Veterans Affairs rates hiatal hernias under CFR Title 38 Part 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7346. The VA evaluates the veteran’s medical records, symptoms, and the condition’s impact on their quality of life to determine the appropriate rating. There are three available ratings for hiatal hernia—60, 30, and 10 percent.
60% Rating
You may receive this rating if you have severe hiatal hernia symptoms such as chronic pain, daily vomiting, significant weight loss, anemia, or hemorrhaging. A 60 percent hiatal hernia VA rating qualifies you for certain benefits, including the following:
- VA health care
- Vocational benefits
- VA home loan guarantee
- Free tax preparation
- Commissary and exchange privileges
- Burial and plot allowance
This VA rating for hiatal hernia may also apply if your condition requires surgery or significantly interferes with your ability to work or perform daily activities.
30% Rating
This hiatal hernia VA rating applies if you have moderate symptoms that include persistent epigastric distress, dysphagia, and pyrosis that may require dietary restrictions to manage. Dysphagia is a condition marked by difficulty swallowing, and pyrosis is the clinical term for heartburn. You may also receive a 30 percent VA rating for hiatal hernia if you experience chest, arm, or shoulder pain.
10% Rating
The VA issues a 10 percent rating for mild hiatal hernia symptoms, such as occasional heartburn controllable with medication or infrequent distress. This rating is for hiatal hernia cases of lesser severity.
Hiatal hernia VA ratings vary depending on the circumstances of each case. Evidence such as medical documentation and service records can establish a hiatal hernia service connection, which is required for you to receive compensation.
How Can a Hiatal Hernia Be Service-Connected?
Service members might develop or aggravate a hiatal hernia through certain activities or conditions, such as the following:
- Heavy lifting, strain, or trauma during service: Military duties often involve intense physical activity, including carrying heavy gear, repetitive lifting, or sudden trauma from training or combat. Over time, this can weaken the diaphragm, potentially leading to a hiatal hernia.
- Chronic stress or diet changes affecting digestion: Service members frequently face high-stress environments, such as deployments, combat, or long hours, which can disrupt digestive health. When combined with irregular meal schedules and limited dietary options on base, this stress may lead to increased stomach acid production, potentially contributing to the development of a hiatal hernia.
- Long-term use of NSAIDs for pain: Veterans managing service-related injuries, such as joint pain or back issues, often rely on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. Prolonged use can irritate the stomach lining and esophagus, potentially weakening the diaphragm’s barrier and paving the way for a hiatal hernia.
To establish a hiatal hernia service connection, you must submit medical evidence linking your condition to your service. Evidence of a service connection may include the following:
- Service treatment records: These document any relevant injuries, symptoms, or complaints during active duty, such as stomach pain after a lifting injury or acid reflux noted by a medic. Even if the hernia wasn’t diagnosed then, early signs of the condition can strengthen your case.
- Doctor’s reports: Current medical records from a physician diagnosing the hernia and detailing its severity are important. These ideally note how service-related factors could have caused or worsened it.
- Nexus letter: This is a letter from a medical professional explicitly linking your hiatal hernia to military service. While not required, nexus letters can offer powerful evidence of your condition’s connection to your service. However, they aren’t conclusive proof, and the VA might still deny your claim. Common reasons the VA might deny a claim despite a nexus letter are insufficient medical evidence, lack of credible medical expertise, inadequate evidence of service connection, and technical issues with the letter.
The stronger the evidence, the better the shot at proving service connection. Documentation of specific incidents, proof of consistent symptoms, and expert opinions explicitly linking your condition to your service are particularly convincing. Gather your complete medical records and consult a lawyer who understands VA claims so that they can help you connect the dots for the VA.
Secondary Conditions Related to Hiatal Hernias
Veterans may qualify for additional compensation if their condition leads to other health issues. The VA recognizes that service-connected hiatal hernias can result in the development of secondary conditions. It also recognizes that hiatal hernias can result from certain primary service-connected conditions.
If you suffer from another condition resulting from a hiatal hernia or have developed a hiatal hernia secondary to another primary condition, the VA will rate each condition and combine the ratings to determine your disability rating. You can use our disability calculator to determine how another condition can affect your benefits.
Common conditions secondary to hiatal hernia include the following:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Many veterans with hiatal hernias develop Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, as the hernia can put pressure on the stomach, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. This chronic acid reflux can cause significant discomfort and complications. Based on the severity of their symptoms, veterans with this condition may qualify for a VA disability rating for GERD.
Esophagitis or Barrett’s Esophagus
If a hiatal hernia leads to GERD, chronic acid reflux can take a toll on your esophagus over time. This irritation might turn into esophagitis or, in more serious cases, Barrett’s esophagus, in which the tissue changes and raises the risk of esophageal cancer.
Sleep Apnea
A hiatal hernia can worsen sleep apnea by allowing stomach acid to reach the throat and airways, leading to irritation and breathing difficulties. Veterans experiencing both conditions may struggle with disrupted sleep, fatigue, and long-term respiratory issues. The VA recognizes sleep apnea as a disabling condition.
How To Increase Your Hiatal Hernia VA Rating
If your symptoms worsen, you develop a secondary condition related to your hiatal hernia, or you believe your initial VA rating was too low, you can appeal for a higher rating. The VA evaluates hiatal hernias based on symptom severity, and your circumstances might justify a boost, even up to a 100 percent VA disability rating.
To increase your VA rating for hiatal hernia, take the following steps:
- Get updated medical exams and documentation: Regular evaluations from your doctor can help demonstrate symptom progression.
- Keep a symptom journal: Document the frequency and severity of your symptoms, including pain, daily heartburn, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and weight loss.
- Seek additional diagnostic tests: Endoscopies, imaging, and pH monitoring can provide concrete evidence of your condition’s impact.
- File disability claims for secondary conditions: Conditions such as GERD, esophagitis, or sleep apnea linked to your hernia can increase your overall rating.
If you need help understanding how to increase your VA rating for a hiatal hernia or wish to appeal a denial, working with an experienced VA attorney can improve your chances of success. Contact Veterans Guide today for expert assistance and personalized support.
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