Hiatal Hernia

DC 7346Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7346

A condition where part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm. Hiatal hernia shares the same diagnostic code as GERD and is rated based on symptom severity and health impact.

Rating Levels

You have symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss, hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia, or other symptom combinations producing severe impairment of health.

What the VA looks for

Pain and vomiting
Material weight loss documented
Hematemesis (vomiting blood) or melena (bloody stool)
Moderate anemia on lab work
Severe impairment of health documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Hiatal hernia and GERD share the same diagnostic code (DC 7346) — you cannot receive separate ratings for both (pyramiding rule).
⚠Not documenting all symptoms including difficulty swallowing, chest pain, regurgitation, and weight loss.
⚠Not getting an upper GI series or endoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and document severity.
⚠Not connecting hiatal hernia to secondary conditions like asthma or chronic cough from acid aspiration.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Esophageal Conditions (including GERD)
DBQ Stomach and Duodenal Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…