Hepatitis C — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Hepatitis C
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960G-5 (Hepatitis, Cirrhosis and Other Liver Conditions) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Hepatitis C — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Hepatitis C, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Hepatitis C
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.114, DC 7354 (hepatitis C) rated under DC 7345 (chronic liver disease without cirrhosis). Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Previous history of liver disease, currently asymptomatic.
Chronic liver disease with at least one of: intermittent fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, or pruritus.
Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing minor weight loss and at least two of: daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus, or arthralgia.
Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing substantial weight loss and at least two of: daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus, or arthralgia.
Progressive chronic liver disease requiring both parenteral antiviral therapy and parenteral immunomodulatory therapy, and for six months following discontinuance of treatment.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Hepatitis C raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
20%
New monthly
$357
Change
+$357
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Hepatitis C claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
- Elevated prevalence of hepatitis C infection in users of United States veterans medical centers.Direct
Hepatology, 2005 · PMID 15619249
Finding: In a national two-stage cluster sample of VA medical center users, the corrected prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was 5.4% (95% CI 3.3%-7.5%), more than double the general US population estimate. Vietnam-era period of military service was a significant predictor of seropositivity, although the authors attributed most infections to traditional risk factors.
Why it helps: Supports an association between veteran status (and Vietnam-era service) and higher hepatitis C prevalence, useful background for establishing that veterans are a higher-risk population.
Journal of Community Health, 2014 · PMID 24682941
Finding: Among 2,638 male HCV patients in four non-VA health systems, Vietnam-era veterans (22.5%) did not report higher rates of common HCV risk factors such as injection drug use, yet were significantly more likely than nonveterans to attribute their infection to 'other' exposures typically associated with military service (p<0.001).
Why it helps: Supports an association between military service and HCV infection through service-related exposures that are distinct from conventional civilian risk factors, relevant to a direct service-connection argument.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2003 · PMID 12861447
Finding: Among 418 systematically tested homeless veterans, HCV prevalence was 44%, over ten times the national rate for men aged 20-59. After adjusting for age, Vietnam-era service was an independent risk factor (OR 4.66, p=0.01) alongside substance abuse (OR 6.86).
Why it helps: Supports an association between Vietnam-era military service and elevated hepatitis C risk, while noting substance use as a strong co-factor.
Gastroenterology, 2002 · nexus to PTSD, depression, anxiety · PMID 12145801
Finding: In a case-control study of 22,341 Vietnam-era HCV-infected veterans versus 43,267 uninfected controls, HCV patients had significantly higher rates of depression (49.5% vs 39.1%) and PTSD (33.5% vs 24.5%); after adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity, depression, PTSD, and anxiety remained strongly associated with HCV.
Why it helps: Supports an association between hepatitis C and psychiatric conditions such as PTSD and depression in veterans, relevant to secondary-condition claims linking the two.
- Relationship between hepatitis C virus infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus: meta-analysis.Secondary
World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2012 · nexus to Type 2 diabetes mellitus · PMID 22529694
Finding: A meta-analysis of 35 observational studies found HCV-infected patients had higher odds of type 2 diabetes than uninfected individuals (summary OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.15-2.45); a sensitivity analysis of three prospective studies confirmed elevated risk (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.17-1.70, I2=0%).
Why it helps: Supports an association between hepatitis C infection and type 2 diabetes, relevant where diabetes is claimed as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, 2015 · nexus to mixed cryoglobulinemia, porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus · PMID 26357639
Finding: Review reporting that up to 74% of HCV patients develop extrahepatic manifestations; mixed cryoglobulinemia of clinical significance affects up to 3% of HCV patients (with skin, kidney, and peripheral nerve involvement), and HCV prevalence among US porphyria cutanea tarda patients was 66%, far above the general population.
Why it helps: Supports an association between hepatitis C and extrahepatic conditions (cryoglobulinemia, porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus) that may be claimed as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.
Liver International, 2012 · nexus to porphyria cutanea tarda · PMID 22510500
Finding: Review identifying chronic hepatitis C as one of the chief acquired triggers of porphyria cutanea tarda, the most common porphyria worldwide; HCV (like HFE mutations and alcohol) lowers hepcidin production, increasing hepatic iron loading and oxidative stress that inhibit uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and provoke PCT.
Why it helps: Supports a mechanistic and clinical association between hepatitis C and porphyria cutanea tarda, relevant where PCT is claimed as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Hepatitis C
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Hepatitis C. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Cirrhosis
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Liver Cancer
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Depression
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Diabetes
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Cryoglobulinemia
Nexus strength: moderate
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Nexus strength: moderate
Hepatitis C as a Secondary Condition
Hepatitis C is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Hepatitis Cclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Hepatitis C should also be looking at:
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Health care
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Where you live
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Home buying
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Other ways to work on your claim
›More Hepatitis C resources
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
More free tools
Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is an independent planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.