What are the VA rating percentages for Hepatic Encephalopathy?

Hepatic Encephalopathy (DC 7312) is rated at 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312. Liver disease (cirrhosis) with daily fatigue and at least one episode in the last year of hepatic encephalopathy.

What rates 60% for Hepatic Encephalopathy under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 (DC 7312), a 60% rating for Hepatic Encephalopathy requires: Liver disease (cirrhosis) with daily fatigue and at least one episode in the last year of hepatic encephalopathy.

What happens during a C&P exam for Hepatic Encephalopathy?

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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Hepatic Encephalopathy

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

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

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

Key evidence for a Hepatic Encephalopathy 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

Hepatic Encephalopathy is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7312 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 across 2 severity tiers (60% / 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

Brain dysfunction caused by severe liver disease allowing toxins to accumulate in the blood

RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)

60%

Liver disease (cirrhosis) with daily fatigue and at least one episode in the last year of hepatic encephalopathy.

100%

Liver disease with continuous daily debilitating symptoms, generalized weakness, AND hepatic encephalopathy (as one of seven qualifying complications). Alternatively, MELD score ≥ 15 plus encephalopathy 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.
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