VASRD 7354 · Digestive System
Hepatitis C VA Disability Rating
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.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | On both parenteral antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy, and six months after |
| 60% | Continuous medication with substantial weight loss and two or more listed symptoms |
| 40% | Continuous medication with minor weight loss and two or more listed symptoms |
| 20% | One of fatigue, malaise, anorexia, enlarged liver, or itching |
| 0% | History of liver disease, currently no symptoms |
How the VA Evaluates Hepatitis C
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).
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.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •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.
Strategy Tips
- •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.
- •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.
- •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.
- •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
- •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.
- •Weight not recorded at the examination, leaving the minor-versus-substantial weight loss line — the 40/60 percent boundary — undecided.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •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).
Onset Patterns
- •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.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Hepatitis C. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Cirrhosis
Depression
Liver Cancer
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…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Hepatitis C?
- Possible VA ratings for Hepatitis C are 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 0%. Examples: 100%: On both parenteral antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy, and six months after; 60%: Continuous medication with substantial weight loss and two or more listed symptoms; 40%: Continuous medication with minor weight loss and two or more li…
- 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…
- 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…
- Is Hepatitis C a presumptive condition for VA benefits?
- Yes, Hepatitis C is recognized as a presumptive condition. The VA presumes service connection if you meet the qualifying service criteria, which reduces the evidence burden compared to a direct service-connection claim.
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Hepatitis C?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Hepatitis C include: Cirrhosis, Depression, Liver Cancer. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.114 — Schedule of ratings — digestive system (Diagnostic Code 7354)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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