Body system: Digestive SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.114
An acquired esophageal diverticulum is a pouch or outpouching of the esophageal wall (the tube from mouth to stomach). The VA rates this condition under DC 7203 (Esophagus, stricture of), which ranges from 10% to 80% based on how much the diverticulum impairs swallowing. Conditions covered include Zenker's diverticulum (pharyngo-esophageal junction), mid-esophageal diverticulum, and epiphrenic diverticulum (distal esophagus, just above the lower esophageal sphincter).
Rating levels
- -1% — DC 7205 does not have its own rating ladder. The VA rates acquired esophageal diverticulum under DC 7203 (Esophagus, stricture of), which ranges from 10% to 80% based on how much the condition impairs swallowing. 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 7205 covers acquired outpouchings (diverticula) of the esophagus, regardless of location. Conditions explicitly included (non-exhaustive): PHARYNGO-ESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULUM, also called ZENKER'S DIVERTICULUM (a pouch at the junction of the pharynx and esophagus, typically presenting with regurgitation of undigested food, halitosis, and aspiration); MID-ESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULUM (occurs in the middle third of the esophagus, often associated with traction from mediastinal inflammation); and EPIPHRENIC DIVERTICULUM (located just above the lower esophageal sphincter in the distal esophagus, often associated with esophageal motility disorders). All route to DC 7203 for the rating.