Malignant tumor of the stomach (gastric carcinoma)
Because chronic gastritis is rated under the peptic ulcer disease formula, the evidence that matters most is evidence that directly matches the criteria at each rating level.
For the 100% level, operative reports and hospital records documenting surgery for perforation or hemorrhage, along with the date of that surgery, establish the starting point. After three months, records showing what symptoms remain are what VA will use at the mandatory follow-up exam.
For the 60% level, medical records showing continuous abdominal pain, repeated episodes of vomiting blood or tarry stools, lab results or clinical findings consistent with anemia, and hospital admission records from the past 12 months are directly relevant.
For the 40% and 20% levels, clinic notes or treatment records that document the length and frequency of episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting are key, as is a current prescription showing daily medication use. Your own written statements, or statements from people who know you, describing how often episodes occur, how long they last, and how they affect your work and daily activities can help show whether your symptoms reach the four-or-more-times threshold or fall at three times or fewer. For the 0% level, an endoscopy report or imaging study confirming a history of the condition is sufficient.
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.
