Hepatitis C
DC 7354 §4.114 Digestive ICD-10: B19.20 Direct
Chronic hep C. Risk factors include in-service blood exposure, vaccinations, dental work.
VA rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Near-constant debilitating symptoms (such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain) |
| 60% | Daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, with substantial weight loss (or other indication of malnutrition), and hepatomegaly, or; incapacitating episodes (with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain) having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12-month period, but not occurring constantly |
| 40% | Daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly, or; incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks, but less than six weeks, during the past 12-month period |
| 20% | Daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia (without weight loss or hepatomegaly), requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication, or; incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks, but less than four weeks, during the past 12-month period |
| 10% | Intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, or; incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week, but less than two weeks, during the past 12-month period |
Filing this claim
This is typically filed as a direct service connection claim. You need a current diagnosis, evidence of in-service event or exposure, and a nexus letter linking them. Use the letter generators to draft your nexus letter and Statement in Support of Claim.
Step by step
- File an Intent to File (Form 21-0966) to lock your effective date.
- Confirm you have a current medical diagnosis in a medical record.
- Get a nexus letter — magic phrase: "at least as likely as not."
- Write a Statement in Support of Claim (21-4138).
- If applicable, gather buddy statements (21-10210).
- File the formal 21-526EZ.
Source: 38 CFR §4.114. For exact regulatory language, consult eCFR Title 38. This is general education — for your specific case, consult a VA-accredited representative.