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.

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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 731238 C.F.R. § 4.114

Diagnostic Code

DC 7312

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Rating Range

60–100%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

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

Rating Criteria

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.

03Key Evidence

—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

04C&P Exam Tips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

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 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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