VA Diagnostic Code 7345Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis
Rated from 0% to 100% under § 4.114. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
Not the right code?
What each rating requires
The VA assigns the highest level your evidence actually supports. Read up the stack until your records stop matching.
- 100%
Progressive chronic liver disease requiring use of both parenteral antiviral therapy (direct antiviral agents), and parenteral immunomodulatory therapy (interferon and other); and for six months following discontinuance of treatment
- 60%
Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing substantial weight loss and at least two of the following: (1) daily fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, (5) pruritus, and (6) arthralgia
- 40%
Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing minor weight loss and at least two of the following: (1) daily fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, (5) pruritus, and (6) arthralgia
- 20%
Chronic liver disease with at least one of the following: (1) intermittent fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, or (5) pruritus
- 0%
Previous history of liver disease, currently asymptomatic
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): 100% evaluation shall continue for six months following discontinuance of parenteral antiviral therapy and administration of parenteral immunomodulatory drugs. Six months after discontinuance of parenteral antiviral therapy and parenteral immunomodulatory drugs, determine the appropriate disability rating by mandatory VA exam. Apply the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter to any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination.
- Note (2): For individuals for whom physicians recommend both parenteral antiviral therapy and parenteral immunomodulatory drugs, but for whom treatment is medically contraindicated, rate according to DC 7312 (Cirrhosis of the liver).
- Note (3): This diagnostic code includes Hepatitis B (confirmed by serologic testing), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune liver disease, Wilson's disease, Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, hemochromatosis, drug-induced hepatitis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Track Hepatitis C (or non-A, non-B hepatitis) under DC 7354 but evaluate it using the criteria in this entry.
- Note (4): Evaluate sequelae, such as cirrhosis or malignancy of the liver, under an appropriate diagnostic code, but do not use the same signs and symptoms as the basis for evaluation under DC 7354 and under a diagnostic code for sequelae. (See § 4.14)
Chronic Liver Disease Without Cirrhosis (VA Diagnostic Code 7345)
Digestive System · 38 CFR § 4.114
Understanding This Condition
Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis covers a range of long-term liver conditions that affect how the liver functions, without the scarring known as cirrhosis. Under VA Diagnostic Code 7345, this category includes:
- Hepatitis B (confirmed by serologic testing)
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- Autoimmune liver disease
- Wilson's disease
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
- Hemochromatosis
- Drug-induced hepatitis
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Hepatitis C (or non-A, non-B hepatitis) is tracked under a separate code (DC 7354) but is evaluated using the same criteria described here.
Symptoms associated with chronic liver disease can include fatigue, malaise, anorexia (loss of appetite), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), pruritus (itching), and arthralgia (joint pain). Some people may also experience weight loss depending on the severity of their condition.
How the VA Rates This Condition
The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of the condition, the treatment required, and the specific symptoms present. Ratings range from 0% to 100%.
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 100% | Progressive chronic liver disease requiring the use of both parenteral antiviral therapy (direct antiviral agents) and parenteral immunomodulatory therapy (interferon and other); and for six months following discontinuance of treatment. |
| 60% | Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing substantial weight loss, plus at least two of the following: daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus, or arthralgia. |
| 40% | Progressive chronic liver disease requiring continuous medication and causing minor weight loss, plus at least two of the following: daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus, or arthralgia. |
| 20% | Chronic liver disease with at least one of the following: intermittent fatigue, malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, or pruritus. |
| 0% | Previous history of liver disease, currently asymptomatic. |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating chronic liver disease without cirrhosis, the VA considers:
- Type of treatment required — Whether the condition requires parenteral antiviral therapy, parenteral immunomodulatory therapy, or continuous medication.
- Weight loss — Whether the condition causes substantial or minor weight loss.
- Symptoms present — Fatigue (daily or intermittent), malaise, anorexia, hepatomegaly, pruritus, and arthralgia, and how many of these are present.
Important Notes on Evaluation
-
Continuation and reassessment after treatment. A 100% evaluation continues for six months following the discontinuance of parenteral antiviral therapy and parenteral immunomodulatory drugs. After that six-month period, the appropriate disability rating is determined by a mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based on that or a subsequent examination follows the procedures in § 3.105(e).
-
When treatment is contraindicated. For individuals whose physicians recommend both parenteral antiviral therapy and parenteral immunomodulatory drugs, but for whom that treatment is medically contraindicated, the condition is rated according to DC 7312 (Cirrhosis of the liver).
-
Complications and related conditions. Sequelae such as cirrhosis or malignancy of the liver are evaluated under an appropriate diagnostic code. However, the same signs and symptoms cannot be used as the basis for evaluation under both DC 7354 and a diagnostic code for sequelae (see § 4.14).
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.114, diagnostic code 7345. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.
Find your level in the stack
Read each rung against what your medical records already say. The level your records document today is the one the VA can support today.
Name the gap
Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.
Claim it by code
File under diagnostic code 7345 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Digestive System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
Find out which rating your evidence supports.
Six reads your records against these exact criteria and tells you what the VA is still missing.
Start for freeAll 51 Digestive System codes →