Peptic Ulcer — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Peptic Ulcer
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960G-7 (Stomach and Duodenal Conditions (Not Including GERD or Esophageal Disorders)) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Peptic Ulcer — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Peptic Ulcer, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Peptic Ulcer
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7304 (peptic ulcer disease). Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies.
Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting that last at least three consecutive days, occur three times or less in the past 12 months, and are managed by daily prescribed medication.
Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting that last at least three consecutive days, occur four or more times in the past 12 months, and are managed by daily prescribed medication.
Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting, recurrent hematemesis or melena, and manifestations of anemia requiring hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months.
Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage, for three months (then rated on residuals by mandatory VA examination).
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Peptic Ulcer raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
20%
New monthly
$357
Change
+$357
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Peptic Ulcer claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
Epidemiology, 2017 · nexus to PTSD · PMID 28099266
Finding: In a nationwide cohort of 4,076 PTSD patients followed up to 18 years, the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for any GI disorder was 1.8 (95% CI 1.7-2.0), and for peptic ulcer specifically the SIR was 3.3 (95% CI 1.8-5.5) versus the general population. Associations were strongest in the year following PTSD diagnosis.
Why it helps: Supports an association between clinician-diagnosed PTSD and a more than three-fold higher incidence of peptic ulcer, useful when claiming peptic ulcer as secondary to service-connected PTSD.
SAGE Open Medicine, 2024 · nexus to PTSD · PMID 38911441
Finding: Using VA patient-database records, this study found PTSD was bidirectionally correlated with several GI diseases including peptic ulcer disease (along with GERD, functional dyspepsia, Crohn's, diverticular disease, and IBS) among veterans who served during wartime periods.
Why it helps: A veteran-specific data source supporting an association between service-connected PTSD and peptic ulcer disease, directly relevant to a secondary nexus argument in this population.
- Stress controversies: post-traumatic stress disorder, hippocampal volume, gastroduodenal ulcerationSecondary
Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 2011 · nexus to PTSD · PMID 20973838
Finding: This review describes the neuroendocrine (HPA axis and autonomic) stress response and concludes that, while H. pylori is a major cause of peptic ulcers, recent studies show stress can cause peptic ulceration even in the absence of H. pylori, with both factors potentially interacting.
Why it helps: Provides a physiological rationale linking chronic stress (as in PTSD) to peptic ulcer formation, supporting the biological plausibility of a secondary connection.
American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2009 · nexus to NSAID use for musculoskeletal conditions · PMID 19240698
Finding: American College of Gastroenterology practice guidelines establish that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause upper GI injury including ulcers, and provide risk stratification and prophylaxis recommendations (e.g., COX-2 inhibitors plus PPI) to prevent NSAID-related ulcer complications.
Why it helps: Authoritative guideline supporting an association between long-term NSAID use (commonly prescribed for service-connected musculoskeletal/joint conditions) and peptic ulcer disease, useful for a medication-based secondary claim.
- Corticosteroids and risk of gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysisSecondary
BMJ Open, 2014 · nexus to corticosteroid medication · PMID 24833682
Finding: Meta-analysis of 159 randomized trials (N=33,253) found corticosteroids increased the risk of GI bleeding or perforation by about 40% (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.22-1.66), with the effect persisting when NSAID users, prior peptic ulcer, and gastroprotective drug users were excluded.
Why it helps: Supports an association between corticosteroid treatment (often used for service-connected respiratory, autoimmune, or musculoskeletal conditions) and ulcer-related GI bleeding, relevant to a medication-based secondary nexus.
Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2024 · nexus to SSRI medication for PTSD/depression · PMID 38126253
Finding: In a nested case-control study of 9,565 patients aged 65+, upper GI bleeding risk rose with cumulative SSRI dose (adjusted OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02-1.62 for highest vs lowest tertile), and fluoxetine users had increased risk (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.50) in a dose-response manner.
Why it helps: Supports an association between SSRI antidepressants (commonly prescribed for service-connected PTSD and depression) and upper GI bleeding, relevant to a medication-mediated secondary claim for peptic ulcer complications.
Environmental Research, 2014 · PMID 24906069
Finding: Among 111,726 Korean Vietnam veterans assessed by a GIS-based Agent Orange exposure model, the high-exposure group had a modestly elevated adjusted odds ratio for peptic ulcer (OR 1.03), alongside larger elevations for several endocrine, neurologic, and respiratory diseases.
Why it helps: Provides direct exposure-based data showing a small elevation in peptic ulcer prevalence among Agent Orange-exposed veterans; the association is modest, so it offers supporting context rather than strong standalone evidence.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
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Peptic Ulcer as a Secondary Condition
Peptic Ulcer is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Peptic Ulcerclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Peptic Ulcer should also be looking at:
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Draft your Peptic Ulcer personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.