What rates 60% for Portal Hypertension under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment) (DC 7312), a 60% rating for Portal Hypertension requires: MELD 12-14 OR daily fatigue with one episode in the last year of variceal hemorrhage OR portal gastropathy / hepatic encephalopathy.

What happens during a C&P exam for Portal Hypertension?

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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Portal Hypertension

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Portal Hypertension?

Portal Hypertension (DC 7312) is rated at 30%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment). Liver disease (cirrhosis) with signs of portal hypertension such as splenomegaly or ascites and either weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, or malaise. (Or MELD score 10-11.)

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

Key evidence for a Portal Hypertension 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

30–100%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.114

Portal Hypertension is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7312 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7312 (current text per 2024-05-19 amendment) across 3 severity tiers (30% / 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

Elevated blood pressure in the portal venous system, typically caused by cirrhosis, leading to splenomegaly, ascites, and esophageal/gastric varices. Rates under DC 7312 cirrhosis schedule; portal hypertension signs (splenomegaly or ascites) trigger the 30% tier directly even without high MELD score.

Rating Criteria

30%

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

60%

MELD 12-14 OR daily fatigue with one episode in the last year of variceal hemorrhage OR portal gastropathy / hepatic encephalopathy.

100%

MELD ≥ 15 OR continuous daily debilitating symptoms + generalized weakness + at least one of: ascites, SBP history, encephalopathy, variceal hemorrhage, coagulopathy, portal gastropathy, hepatopulmonary/hepatorenal syndrome.

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 2026-05-27 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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