Ongoing problems that persist after surgery on the stomach, esophagus, or upper small intestine.
Medical records that document your surgical history — including what operation was performed and when — form the foundation of your claim. For any rating above 0%, records showing ongoing symptoms are key. For a 10% rating, treatment notes reflecting a prescription or ongoing medical management of nausea or vomiting are helpful.
For a 30% rating, records should show the frequency of vomiting, physician notes or dietary logs reflecting required changes to your diet due to pain or discomfort after eating, or records confirming daily watery bowel movements in the three-to-five range. For a 50% rating, evidence should show daily vomiting despite dietary changes or medication, or documentation of six or more daily watery or unpredictable bowel movements, or clinical notes confirming post-meal lightheadedness with sweating and a prescription for medications targeting dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying. For an 80% rating, records from a treating provider confirming continuous TPN or tube feeding for more than 30 consecutive days within the past six months are needed.
Your own written statements, and statements from people who observe your daily life, can support the record by describing how symptoms affect eating, daily activities, and work.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
