Hepatitis B

DC 7345Digestive38 CFR 4.114, DC 7345

A viral infection of the liver that can become chronic, causing fatigue, abdominal pain, and liver damage. The VA rates based on the frequency and severity of symptoms and how often they keep you in bed.

Rating Levels

Your hepatitis B causes near-constant debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain.

What the VA looks for

Near-constant debilitating symptoms
Inability to maintain employment
Severe liver damage documented
Ongoing treatment with limited response

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the total duration of incapacitating episodes over a 12-month period.
⚠Not tracking weight changes which are important for higher ratings.
⚠Not getting regular liver function tests to document hepatomegaly and liver damage.
⚠Not connecting to in-service risk factors like vaccinations, blood exposure, or deployment to endemic areas.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Liver Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

Your hepatitis B causes near-constant debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain.

What the VA looks for

Near-constant debilitating symptoms
Inability to maintain employment
Severe liver damage documented
Ongoing treatment with limited response

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the total duration of incapacitating episodes over a 12-month period.

⚠Not tracking weight changes which are important for higher ratings.

⚠Not getting regular liver function tests to document hepatomegaly and liver damage.

⚠Not connecting to in-service risk factors like vaccinations, blood exposure, or deployment to endemic areas.