What happens during a C&P exam for Ascites?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Ascites

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Ascites?

Ascites (DC 7312) is rated at 30%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312. Liver disease (cirrhosis) with MELD score 10-11 OR signs of portal hypertension such as splenomegaly or ascites and either weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, or malaise.

Q: What rates 30% for Ascites under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 (DC 7312), a 30% rating for Ascites requires: Liver disease (cirrhosis) with MELD score 10-11 OR signs of portal hypertension such as splenomegaly or ascites and either weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, or malaise.

Q: What rates 100% for Ascites under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 (DC 7312), a 100% rating for Ascites requires: Liver disease with continuous daily debilitating symptoms, generalized weakness, AND ascites (as one of seven qualifying complications). Alternatively, MELD score ≥ 15 plus ascites meets the 100% tier.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Ascites VA claim?

Key evidence for a Ascites claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 7312 | 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.114 (Digestive system) · reviewed 2026-05-17 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Ascites is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7312 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 across 2 severity tiers (30% / 100%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

OVERVIEW

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, typically from advanced liver disease

RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)

30%

Liver disease (cirrhosis) with MELD score 10-11 OR signs of portal hypertension such as splenomegaly or ascites and either weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, or malaise.

100%

Liver disease with continuous daily debilitating symptoms, generalized weakness, AND ascites (as one of seven qualifying complications). Alternatively, MELD score ≥ 15 plus ascites meets the 100% tier.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.114 (Digestive system). Source verified 2026-05-17 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.114 on eCFR → Cornell Law mirror → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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