YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Hepatitis C VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Hepatitis C under diagnostic code 7354, in 38 CFR § 4.114 (digestive system), and the schedule provides five evaluation levels for it: 100%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 0%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. DC 7354 carries no criteria of its own — the schedule directs "Rate under DC 7345 (Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis)", and DC 7345's Note (3) says to track Hepatitis C under DC 7354 but evaluate it using DC 7345's criteria. What that table measures is the treatment the liver disease requires, weight loss, and a specific list of named symptoms — not the viral diagnosis by itself.
DC 7354 is a tracking code. Its entry reads "Rate under DC 7345 (Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis)", and DC 7345's Note (3) confirms it: track Hepatitis C under DC 7354, evaluate it using DC 7345's criteria. Those criteria are: 0 percent for a previous history of liver disease that is currently asymptomatic; 20 percent for chronic liver disease with at least one of intermittent fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, or pruritus; 40 percent for progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing minor weight loss, with at least two of daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus, and arthralgia; 60 percent for the same picture with substantial weight loss instead of minor; and 100 percent for progressive chronic liver disease requiring use of both parenteral antiviral therapy (direct antiviral agents) and parenteral immunomodulatory therapy, and for six months following discontinuance of treatment. Note (1) adds that after those six months the appropriate rating is determined by mandatory VA examination, with § 3.105(e) applying to any change. Note (2) covers the case where a physician recommends both therapies but treatment is medically contraindicated: rate according to DC 7312 (Cirrhosis of the liver). Note (4) directs that sequelae such as cirrhosis or malignancy of the liver be evaluated under an appropriate diagnostic code, but the same signs and symptoms cannot be used both here and for the sequela (see § 4.14).
- Diagnostic code
- 7354
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.114
- Schedule levels
- 100%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 0%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Hepatitis C VA rating criteria (DC 7354)
Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
IN THE REGULATION’S OWN WORDS
What 38 CFR also says about Hepatitis C
The notes 38 CFR Part 4 prints with these criteria, quoted. They govern how the evaluation is made without being a rating level themselves.
- “Note (1): 100% evaluation shall continue for six months following discontinuance of parenteral antiviral therapy and administration of parenteral immunomodulatory drugs. Six months after discontinuance of parenteral antiviral therapy and parenteral immunomodulatory drugs, determine the appropriate disability rating by mandatory VA exam. Apply the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter to any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination.”DC 7345
- “Note (2): For individuals for whom physicians recommend both parenteral antiviral therapy and parenteral immunomodulatory drugs, but for whom treatment is medically contraindicated, rate according to DC 7312 (Cirrhosis of the liver).”DC 7345
- “Note (3): This diagnostic code includes Hepatitis B (confirmed by serologic testing), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune liver disease, Wilson's disease, Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, hemochromatosis, drug-induced hepatitis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Track Hepatitis C (or non-A, non-B hepatitis) under DC 7354 but evaluate it using the criteria in this entry.”DC 7345
- “Note (4): Evaluate sequelae, such as cirrhosis or malignancy of the liver, under an appropriate diagnostic code, but do not use the same signs and symptoms as the basis for evaluation under DC 7354 and under a diagnostic code for sequelae. (See § 4.14)”DC 7345
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Hepatitis C claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Hepatitis C?
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Hepatitis C claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim4 tips
- 01
Get the treatment named in the record, including its route. The 100 percent evaluation requires both parenteral antiviral therapy (direct antiviral agents) and parenteral immunomodulatory therapy, and the 40 and 60 percent rows both require continuous medication.
- 02
Keep weight measurements across the whole period. The only difference between the 40 and 60 percent rows is minor weight loss versus substantial weight loss.
- 03
Have the symptoms recorded by name — daily or intermittent fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus and arthralgia — since 40 and 60 percent each require at least two of the six and 20 percent requires at least one of five.
- 04
If both therapies were recommended but are medically contraindicated, Note (2) directs the evaluation to DC 7312 (Cirrhosis of the liver) instead.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
An examination that documents the viral diagnosis and laboratory results but not the named symptoms or the medication the disease requires, which is what DC 7345's rows are built from.
- 02
Weight not recorded at the examination, leaving the minor-versus-substantial weight loss line — the 40/60 percent boundary — undecided.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Filing on the diagnosis alone. DC 7354 carries no criteria; the evaluation comes from DC 7345 and turns on continuous medication, parenteral therapy, weight loss and the named symptoms.
- 02
Claiming cirrhosis or liver malignancy on the same signs and symptoms already used for the hepatitis evaluation. Note (4) directs sequelae to their own diagnostic code but bars using the same findings twice (see § 4.14).
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
Hepatitis C symptoms are frequently delayed, sometimes taking decades to become noticeable after the initial exposure, which is why many veterans are diagnosed well after separation from service.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Hepatitis C by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- High if labs show liver damage or if antiviral treatments were required.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~22,000 veterans
- Typical rating awarded
- ~40%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule, not official VA statistics.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Hepatitis C
Is Hepatitis C a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Hepatitis C under VASRD diagnostic code 7354 (Digestive System). Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. DC 7354 carries no criteria of its own — the schedule directs "Rate under DC 7345 (Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis)", and DC 7345's Note (3) says to track Hepatitis C under DC 7354 but evaluate it using DC 7345's criteria. What that table measures is the treatment the liver disease requires, weight loss, and a specific list of named symptoms — not the viral diagnosis by itself.
What VA disability rating can I get for Hepatitis C?
Possible VA ratings for Hepatitis C are 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 0%. Examples: 100%: Progressive chronic liver disease requiring use of both parenteral antiviral therapy (direct antiviral agents), and parenteral immunomodulatory therapy (interferon and other); and for six months following discontinuance of treatment; 60%: Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing substantial weight loss and at least two of the following: (1) daily fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, (5) pruritus, and (6) arthralgia; 40%: Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing minor weight loss and at least two of the following: (1) daily fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, (5) pruritus, and (6) arthralgia.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Hepatitis C?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Hepatitis C at around 40%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 22,000 veterans are service-connected for Hepatitis C. Estimated approval outlook: High if labs show liver damage or if antiviral treatments were required.
What evidence helps prove Hepatitis C for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Hepatitis C claim includes: Treatment records naming the drugs used and their route, with the dates treatment started and stopped, since the 100 percent evaluation runs for six months following discontinuance; Weight measurements across the claim period, which is what separates minor weight loss at 40 percent from substantial weight loss at 60 percent; Clinical notes recording the named symptoms individually: daily or intermittent fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus and arthralgia; Records of any sequela such as cirrhosis or malignancy of the liver, which Note (4) directs be evaluated under its own diagnostic code.
Which DBQ is used for Hepatitis C?
VA's Liver Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Hepatitis C?
Common pitfalls when filing for Hepatitis C: Filing on the diagnosis alone. DC 7354 carries no criteria; the evaluation comes from DC 7345 and turns on continuous medication, parenteral therapy, weight loss and the named symptoms; Claiming cirrhosis or liver malignancy on the same signs and symptoms already used for the hepatitis evaluation. Note (4) directs sequelae to their own diagnostic code but bars using the same findings twice (see § 4.14).
What conditions can be secondary to Hepatitis C?
Conditions that can be service-connected as secondary to Hepatitis C, when a medical opinion links them, include: Cirrhosis; Depression; Liver Cancer. A secondary condition gets its own rating, which VA combines with the veteran's other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114, Schedule of ratings, digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7354)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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