Before the Exam Review your medical records and know your diagnosis, diagnostic code, and current treatment plan Write a detailed personal statement describing how your condition affects your daily life, work, and relationships Note typical symptoms and how they vary, including flare-up frequency, duration, and effects on daily activities List all medications you take for this condition and their side effects Prepare a timeline of your condition from onset through current symptoms Submit new non-VA medical records before the appointment; bringing them to the exam does not submit them to VA Gather every barium swallow, CT, or endoscopy (EGD) report; DC 7206 requires stricture findings documented by one of these List the date of each esophageal dilatation in the past year, and whether steroids or a stent were used Note which medications you take every day to control difficulty swallowing Track any aspiration, undernutrition, or involuntary weight loss
What to Bring Government-issued photo ID Copy of your VA claim confirmation or notification letter List of all current medications and dosages Optional copies of records already submitted to VA, for reference during the exam Personal statement or notes about how your condition affects daily life Buddy statements from spouse, family, or fellow veterans (if available) Any recent test results, imaging, or specialist reports Endoscopy (EGD), barium swallow, or CT reports showing any esophageal stricture Gastroenterologist procedure notes for dilatations, stent placement, stricture surgery, or PEG tube Pharmacy records for daily GERD medications
During the Exam Be honest — do not exaggerate or minimize your symptoms Explain your typical symptoms, variation, and flare-ups honestly, including how they affect daily activities If something hurts during a range-of-motion test, say so Mention all functional limitations: sleep, work, chores, driving, social activities Report flare-ups: how often, how long, how severe, and what triggers them Do not say "I'm fine" out of habit — describe your actual condition Describe any difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): how often, and with solids, liquids, or both Confirm the number of dilatations in the past 12 months and whether the stricture keeps coming back Report aspiration, undernutrition, or substantial weight loss if present If GERD is secondary to another condition (PTSD, sleep apnea), explain the connection Describe how symptoms affect sleep, eating, and daily activities