Body system: Digestive SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.114
Esophageal motility disorder covers conditions where the esophagus (the tube from mouth to stomach) cannot move food properly due to muscle, nerve, or mechanical-obstruction problems. The VA rates this condition under DC 7203 (Esophagus, stricture of), which ranges from 10% to 80% based on how much the condition impairs swallowing. Conditions covered include achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, corkscrew esophagus, nutcracker esophagus, esophageal rings (Schatzki rings), mucosal webs/folds, and esophageal impairment from systemic conditions like myasthenia gravis and scleroderma.
Rating levels
- -1% — DC 7204 does not have its own rating ladder. The VA rates esophageal motility disorder under DC 7203 (Esophagus, stricture of), which ranges from 10% to 80% based on how much the condition impairs your ability to swallow food and liquids. Higher ratings apply when swallowing is severely restricted (e.g., liquids only, weight loss, dehydration, recurrent aspiration). See DC 7203 for the rating ladder.
- -1% — DC 7204 is a broad code covering many esophageal motility and mechanical-obstruction disorders. Conditions explicitly included (non-exhaustive): ACHALASIA (cardiospasm, failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax); DIFFUSE ESOPHAGEAL SPASM (DES, uncoordinated contractions); CORKSCREW ESOPHAGUS (rosary-bead pattern of contractions); NUTCRACKER ESOPHAGUS (high-amplitude peristalsis); OTHER MOTOR DISORDERS of the esophagus; ESOPHAGEAL RINGS (including Schatzki rings, a thin mucosal ring at the squamocolumnar junction); MUCOSAL WEBS OR FOLDS; and ESOPHAGEAL IMPAIRMENT from systemic conditions such as MYASTHENIA GRAVIS, SCLERODERMA, and other neurologic conditions. All of these route to DC 7203 for the rating.