Ulcers
What are Ulcers?
Stomach ulcer, also known as gastric ulcers, are painful sores in the stomach lining. These ulcers affect both the stomach and small intestines. Stomach ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive juices is reduces. This allows the digestive acid to eat away at the tissues, causing an ulcer. There are three types of ulcers:
- Gastric Ulcer. An ulcer in the stomach
- Duodenal Ulcer. An ulcer in the lower part of the stomach and beginning of the small intestine.
- Marginal Ulcer. An ulcer in both the stomach and the small intestine caused by healthy cells dying.
A number of symptoms are associated with ulcers. The most common is a burning sensation or pain in the abdomen. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Dull pain in the stomach
- Weight loss
- Not wanting to eat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating
- Feeling full easily
- Burping or acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Anemia
- Dark, tarry stools
- Vomit that’s bloody or looks like coffee grounds
How to Get VA Disability Rating?
To establish a service connection for an ulcer veterans must demonstrate: (1) a current diagnosis of an ulcer; (2) an in-service event, injury, or illness; and (3) a medical link between the current diagnosis and in-service event.
Veterans can also be eligible for a secondary service connection if they are able to show that their ulcer is “at least as likely as not” caused or aggravated by a primary service connected condition.
How are Ulcers Rated?
Gastric and duodenal ulcers are rated together as follows:
| Rating | Symptoms |
| 60% | If the pain cannot be fully relieved by treatment, there is occasional vomiting, blood in the vomit or feces, anemia, weight loss, and an overall serious decline in health |
| 40% | If there is a definite decrease in overall health with anemia and weight loss or if there are repeated periods of required bed rest prescribed by a physician that average about 10 days or more at least 4 or more times a year |
| 20% | If there are repeated periods of severe symptoms that average about 10 days or more 2 or 3 times a year or if there are constant moderate symptoms |
| 10% | If it is mild with episodes of symptoms once or twice a year |
Marginal ulcers are rated as follows:
| Ratings | Symptoms |
| 100% | If there is constant periodic or severe pain that cannot be relieved by treatment, occasional vomiting, blood in the vomit or feces, and weight loss that is completely disabling |
| 60% | If the same symptoms are present, but they are less frequent or severe and cause a serious but not complete disability |
| 40% | If there are episodes at least once a month that can be partially or completely relieved by treatment of vomiting, pain, or blood in the feces |
| 20% | If there a moderate episodes several times a year |
| 10% | If there a mild or short episodes once or twice a year |
Veterans Help Group have been supporting veterans in getting the benefits they deserve since 1995. If you or a loved one served, and suffer from ulcers, we are here to help. Call Veterans Help Group at 855-855-8992 or complete our free veterans benefits case evaluation form.
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