C&P Exam for Postgastrectomy syndrome (DC 7308)

Diagnostic code: 7308Condition: Postgastrectomy syndromeRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.114DBQ: DBQ GI Stomach and Duodenum

Which form the examiner uses

For postgastrectomy syndrome (DC 7308), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What the examiner records

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates stomach and duodenal conditions (excluding GERD and esophageal disorders) including peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, postgastrectomy syndrome, and stomach injuries.

How DC 7308 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-II, V, and VII-XI of this form. Section V is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections III-IV and VI cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire:
  • 1B. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s) (check all that apply): The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis associated with any claimed condition(s) listed above.
  • Peptic ulcer disease — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Stenosis of the stomach — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Stomach, injury of, residuals — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Chronic gastritis (check all that apply, if known) — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Helicobacter pylori infection — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Drug-induced gastritis — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Portal-hypertensive gastropathy with varix-related complications — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Postgastrectomy syndrome — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Status post vagotomy with pyloroplasty — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Gasteroenterostomy — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Functional digestive disorder(s) — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorder — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Stomach cancer — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #1 / #2 / #3 — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's stomach or duodenum conditions (brief summary):
  • 2B. Does the Veteran's treatment plan include taking continuous medication for the diagnosed condition?
  • If yes, list only those medications used for the diagnosed condition.
PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE, CHRONIC GASTRITIS, OR OTHER STOMACH CONDITIONS (Section III)
  • 3A. Does the Veteran have any of the following signs or symptoms due to peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, or other stomach conditions?
  • History of peptic ulcer disease documented by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging studies
  • Episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting that last for at least three consecutive days and are managed by daily prescribed medication (select frequency)
  • Occurring three times or less in past 12 months
  • Occurring four or more times in past 12 months
  • Continuous abdominal pain with intermittent vomiting
  • Recurrent hematemesis (vomiting blood)
  • Melena (tarry stools)
  • Manifestations of anemia which require hospitalization at least once in the past 12 months — Date of admission / Indicate facility
  • Post-operative for perforation or hemorrhage — Date of procedure(s) / Indicate facility
STOMACH INJURY (Section IV)
  • 4A. Does the Veteran have, or has had, a stomach injury?
  • Post-operative (if selected, complete Section V)
  • Pre-operative — Asymptomatic
  • Pre-operative — Diarrhea
  • Pre-operative — Constipation
  • Pre-operative — Colic
  • Pre-operative — Vomiting
  • Pre-operative — Nausea
  • Pre-operative — Abdominal pain
  • Medically directed dietary modification other than total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
  • Persistent partial bowel obstruction
  • Is the persistent partial bowel obstruction inoperable?
  • Is the persistent partial bowel obstruction refractory to treatment?
  • Does the persistent partial bowel obstruction require TPN for obstructive symptoms?
  • Clinical evidence of recurrent obstructions requiring hospitalization at least once a year — Date of admission / Indicate facility
COMPLICATIONS OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL SURGERY AND POSTGASTRECTOMY SYNDROME (Section V)
  • 5A. Has the Veteran had upper gastrointestinal surgery performed on the stomach or duodenum?
  • Post-operative, asymptomatic
  • Requiring continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months — Start date of TPN / Completion date of TPN or anticipated date of completion
  • Requiring continuous tube feedings for a period longer than 30 consecutive days in the last six months — Start date of tube feeding / Completion date of tube feeding or anticipated date of completion
  • Vomiting — Frequency: Less than 2 times a week / 2 or more times a week / Daily
  • Vomiting — Treatment: No treatment / Managed by ongoing medical treatment / Vomiting despite medical treatment
  • Vomiting despite medical treatment — Oral dietary modification / Medication / Other (specify)
  • Watery bowel movements — Frequency: Less than 3 per day every day / 3-5 per day every day / 6 or more per day every day
  • Explosive bowel movements that are difficult to predict or control
  • Nausea — Managed by ongoing medical treatment? Yes / No
  • Post-prandial (meal-induced) light-headedness (syncope) with sweating
  • Requirement for medications to specifically treat complications of upper GI surgery including dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying
  • Discomfort or pain within an hour of eating and requiring ongoing oral dietary modification
  • Other, symptom(s) specify:
VAGOTOMY WITH PYLOROPLASTY OR GASTROENTEROSTOMY (Section VI)
  • 6A. Has the Veteran had a vagotomy with pyloroplasty or gastroenterostomy?
  • Complete vagotomy
  • Incomplete vagotomy
  • Symptoms and confirmed diagnosis of alkaline gastritis
  • With confirmed persisting diarrhea
  • Following confirmation of post-operative complications of stricture or continuing gastric retention
  • Date of procedure(s) / Indicate facility
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VII)
  • 7A. Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section?
  • 7B. Is the neoplasm: Benign / Malignant
  • If malignant: Active / In remission
  • If malignant: Primary / Secondary (metastatic) — indicate the primary site, if known
  • 7C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases?
  • Treatment completed
  • Surgery — describe / Date(s) of surgery
  • Radiation therapy — Date of most recent treatment / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • Antineoplastic chemotherapy — Date of most recent treatment / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • Other therapeutic procedure — describe procedure / Date of most recent procedure
  • Other therapeutic treatment — describe treatment / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • 7D. Does the Veteran currently have any residuals or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above?
  • If yes, list residuals or complications (brief summary)
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS (Section VIII)
  • 8A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to any conditions listed in the diagnosis section above?
  • If yes, describe (brief summary)
  • 8B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement (of the skin) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section?
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section IX)
  • 9A. Have clinically relevant diagnostic imaging studies or other diagnostic procedures been performed or reviewed in conjunction with this examination?
  • Upper endoscopy — Date / Results
  • Upper GI radiographic studies — Date / Results
  • MRI — Date / Results
  • CT — Date / Results
  • Biopsy, specify site — Date / Results
  • Other, specify — Date / Results
  • 9B. Has clinically relevant laboratory testing been performed or reviewed in conjunction with this examination?
  • CBC — Date of test / Hemoglobin / Hematocrit / White blood cell count / Platelets
  • Helicobacter pylori — Date of test / Results
  • Other, specify — Date of test / Results
  • 9C. Are there any other clinically relevant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es), that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination?
  • If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):
  • 9D. If any test results are other than normal, indicate relationship of abnormal findings to diagnosed conditions:
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section X)
  • 10A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting etc.)?
  • If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples:
REMARKS (Section XI)
  • 11A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).

Rating Levels for DC 7308

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

DC 7303

What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 7308

The themes below were extracted by clustering 129 grant-factor sentences from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Frequencies indicate how often each theme appeared in the sample. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not advice or strategy for any specific claim.

  1. 40% Benefit of the doubt doctrine explained or applied
    The Board cited the statutory benefit-of-the-doubt standard, noted that evidence was in approximate equipoise, and resolved the balance in the Veteran's favor to grant or support the claim.
    52 of 129 sample sentences
  2. 16% Preponderance of evidence against claim, doctrine inapplicable
    The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence weighed against the Veteran's claim and therefore determined the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine did not apply, resulting in denial.
    21 of 129 sample sentences
  3. 13% Medical nexus opinion favorable to Veteran's claim
    A VA or private examiner opined that a condition was at least as likely as not related to service, a service-connected disability, or another qualifying event, supporting a grant of service connection or increased rating.
    17 of 129 sample sentences
  4. 8% 40 or 60 percent rating granted under DC 7308 or analogous code
    The Board found evidence at least in equipoise or preponderant that the Veteran's postgastrectomy or related gastrointestinal disability warranted a 40 or 60 percent disability rating under the applicable diagnostic code.
    10 of 129 sample sentences
  5. 6% TDIU granted based on service-connected disabilities
    The Board found that the evidence, including medical and vocational opinions, established or at least equaled the standard for total disability based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
    8 of 129 sample sentences
  6. 6% Examiner opinion unfavorable or negative nexus noted
    A VA examiner opined that a claimed condition was not at least as likely as not related to service or a service-connected disability, contributing to a denial of the related claim.
    8 of 129 sample sentences
  7. 5% Secondary conditions linked to gastrointestinal surgery or disability
    Medical examiners noted that conditions such as B-12 deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, or bowel dysfunction were at least as likely as not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected gastrectomy or related surgical residuals.
    6 of 129 sample sentences
  8. 4% Evidence favors claim or supports higher rating finding
    The Board recorded that the overall weight of evidence affirmatively favored the Veteran's claim for service connection or an increased rating, without reliance solely on equipoise.
    5 of 129 sample sentences
  9. 2% Examiner instructions for nexus or diagnostic opinion noted
    The Board recorded that a VA examiner was directed to provide an at-least-as-likely-as-not opinion regarding diagnosis, nexus to service, or the impact of service-connected disabilities on employability.
    3 of 129 sample sentences
View the full DC 7308 pageSearch BVA decisions for this codeAbout DBQ forms

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.