38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.114

Cirrhosis of the liver — VA Diagnostic Code 7312

Digestive

Diagnostic code

7312

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38 CFR § 4.114 lists Diagnostic Code 7312 as “Cirrhosis of the liver.” The percentage lines are 100, 60, 30, 10, and 0. Each percentage above 0 can be met by a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score or by the symptoms printed on that line. Note (3) says to rate on symptomatology where the evidence does not contain a MELD score. Section 3.309(a) and § 3.309(c)(2) both say “Cirrhosis of the liver.”

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. The § 4.114 source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 34 FR 5063, Mar. 11, 1969; 40 FR 42540, Sept. 15, 1975; 41 FR 11301, Mar. 18, 1976; 66 FR 29488, May 31, 2001; 89 FR 19743, Mar. 20, 2024.

The rating criteria at each level

Cirrhosis of the liver — DC 7312

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score greater than or equal to 15; or with continuous daily debilitating symptoms, generalized weakness and at least one of the following: (1) ascites (fluid in the abdomen), or (2) a history of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, or (3) hepatic encephalopathy, or (4) variceal hemorrhage, or (5) coagulopathy, or (6) portal gastropathy, or (7) hepatopulmonary or hepatorenal syndrome

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score greater than 11 but less than 15; or with daily fatigue and at least one episode in the last year of either (1) variceal hemorrhage, or (2) portal gastropathy or hepatic encephalopathy

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of 10 or 11; or with signs of portal hypertension such as splenomegaly or ascites (fluid in the abdomen) and either weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, or malaise

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score greater than 6 but less than 10; or with evidence of either anorexia, weakness, abdominal pain or malaise

Rating %: 0

Criteria (verbatim). Asymptomatic, but with a history of liver disease

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
100	Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score greater than or equal to 15; or with continuous daily debilitating symptoms, generalized weakness and at least one of the following: (1) ascites (fluid in the abdomen), or (2) a history of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, or (3) hepatic encephalopathy, or (4) variceal hemorrhage, or (5) coagulopathy, or (6) portal gastropathy, or (7) hepatopulmonary or hepatorenal syndrome
60	Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score greater than 11 but less than 15; or with daily fatigue and at least one episode in the last year of either (1) variceal hemorrhage, or (2) portal gastropathy or hepatic encephalopathy
30	Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of 10 or 11; or with signs of portal hypertension such as splenomegaly or ascites (fluid in the abdomen) and either weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, or malaise
10	Liver disease with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score greater than 6 but less than 10; or with evidence of either anorexia, weakness, abdominal pain or malaise
0	Asymptomatic, but with a history of liver disease

Note (1): Rate hepatocellular carcinoma occurring with cirrhosis under DC 7343 (Malignant neoplasms of the digestive system, exclusive of skin growths) in lieu of DC 7312.

Note (2): Biochemical studies, imaging studies, or biopsy must confirm liver dysfunction (including hyponatremia, thrombocytopenia, and/or coagulopathy).

Note (3): Rate condition based on symptomatology where the evidence does not contain a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score.

DC 7312 prints a 0 percent line, so the zero-percent rule in § 4.31 is not what creates that line. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

The opening of 38 CFR § 4.114 says: “Do not combine ratings under diagnostic codes 7301 through 7329 inclusive, 7331, 7342, 7345 through 7350 inclusive, 7352, and 7355 through 7357 inclusive, with each other. Instead, when more than one rating is warranted under those diagnostic codes, assign a single evaluation under the diagnostic code that reflects the predominant disability picture, and elevate it to the next higher evaluation if warranted by the severity of the overall disability.” DC 7312 is inside 7301 through 7329. DC 7345, chronic liver disease without cirrhosis, is inside 7345 through 7350. DC 7343 is not in that combine list. Note (1) of DC 7312 rates hepatocellular carcinoma occurring with cirrhosis under DC 7343 in lieu of DC 7312.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7312, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

MELD score, or the symptom side of the same line

Each of the 100, 60, 30, and 10 percent lines is joined by “or.” One side is a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score. The other side is the symptoms printed on that line. Note (3) says to rate on symptomatology where the evidence does not contain a MELD score. The 100 percent score is greater than or equal to 15. The 60 percent score is greater than 11 but less than 15. The 30 percent score is 10 or 11. The 10 percent score is greater than 6 but less than 10.

Portal gastropathy is grouped with hepatic encephalopathy at 60 percent

The 60 percent symptom side requires daily fatigue and at least one episode in the last year of either (1) variceal hemorrhage, or (2) portal gastropathy or hepatic encephalopathy. Item (2) names both portal gastropathy and hepatic encephalopathy. The 100 percent line lists them as separate numbered items, (3) and (6).

Hepatocellular carcinoma is rated in lieu of DC 7312

Note (1) says to rate hepatocellular carcinoma occurring with cirrhosis under DC 7343 (Malignant neoplasms of the digestive system, exclusive of skin growths) in lieu of DC 7312. DC 7345 is chronic liver disease without cirrhosis. Its note (4) says: “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).”

Evidence that speaks to each level

100, 60, 30, or 10 — score

What the rater needs to see. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, if the record contains one, matched to the range on that line.

Where that usually lives. The laboratory or hepatology note that records the score.

The symptom side

What the rater needs to see. The findings named on that line when there is no score, or when the symptom side is the one being read. Note (2) requires biochemical studies, imaging studies, or biopsy to confirm liver dysfunction, and it names hyponatremia, thrombocytopenia, and/or coagulopathy as examples.

Where that usually lives. Labs, imaging, or biopsy, and the notes that describe ascites, encephalopathy, hemorrhage, or the other listed findings.

What the rater needs to see. Asymptomatic, but with a history of liver disease.

Where that usually lives. The history of liver disease and the current examination.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
100, 60, 30, or 10 — score	The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, if the record contains one, matched to the range on that line.	The laboratory or hepatology note that records the score.
The symptom side	The findings named on that line when there is no score, or when the symptom side is the one being read. Note (2) requires biochemical studies, imaging studies, or biopsy to confirm liver dysfunction, and it names hyponatremia, thrombocytopenia, and/or coagulopathy as examples.	Labs, imaging, or biopsy, and the notes that describe ascites, encephalopathy, hemorrhage, or the other listed findings.
0	Asymptomatic, but with a history of liver disease.	The history of liver disease and the current examination.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Liver Conditions” under Gastrointestinal. The file is Liver Conditions.

The exam form

DC 7312’s lines are the MELD ranges and the symptom alternatives, plus the three notes. This page does not say the form replaces that text.

Related codes and how they interact

Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis is a different code

DC 7345 is “Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis.” DC 7312 is cirrhosis. The § 4.114 opening instruction does not combine those codes with each other.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

38 CFR § 3.309(a) lists “Cirrhosis of the liver.” The schedule title is the same words. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(3) says the disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year (for Hansen's disease (leprosy) and tuberculosis, within 3 years; multiple sclerosis, within 7 years) from the date of separation from service as specified in paragraph (a)(2). Paragraph (a)(1) requires 90 days or more during a war period or after December 31, 1946, for the chronic-disease group. 38 CFR § 3.309(a) says the listed diseases shall be granted service connection if manifested to a compensable degree within those time limits, provided the rebuttable presumption provisions of § 3.307 are also satisfied. Paragraph (a) of § 3.307 also says no condition other than one listed in § 3.309(a) will be considered chronic.

38 CFR § 3.309(c)(2) also lists “Cirrhosis of the liver,” for a former prisoner of war interned or detained for not less than 30 days, if the disease is manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or more at any time after discharge or release. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(5) states that any-time rule for the § 3.309(c) list.

38 CFR § 3.309(d)(2)(xiii) is “Primary liver cancer (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated).” That sentence lists a cancer and then excepts the case where cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated. It does not list cirrhosis of the liver as a radiation disease. Section 3.309(f)(2) is “Liver cancer,” not cirrhosis.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309(e) does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.320 does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.320b does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.316 does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.309(f) does not name it. 38 CFR § 3.309(d) does not name it.

A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for DC 7312?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, cirrhosis of the liver is rated 100, 60, 30, 10, or 0 percent. The lines above 0 use a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score or the symptoms printed on that line. Note (3) uses symptomatology when the evidence does not contain a MELD score. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Does the herbicide list include cirrhosis?

The 2026-10-01 text of § 3.309(e) does not name cirrhosis of the liver. Section 3.320 does not name it. The chronic-disease entry is § 3.309(a). The former-prisoner-of-war entry is § 3.309(c)(2).

FAQ

How does VA rate cirrhosis under DC 7312?

A MELD score of 15 or more, or the continuous daily debilitating symptoms with one of the seven listed findings, is 100 percent. A score greater than 11 but less than 15, or daily fatigue with one episode in the last year of variceal hemorrhage or of portal gastropathy or hepatic encephalopathy, is 60 percent. A score of 10 or 11, or portal-hypertension signs with weakness, anorexia, abdominal pain, or malaise, is 30 percent. A score greater than 6 but less than 10, or evidence of anorexia, weakness, abdominal pain, or malaise, is 10 percent. Asymptomatic, with a history of liver disease, is 0 percent. If the record has no MELD score, Note (3) says to rate on symptomatology. Education only.

Is cirrhosis of the liver a presumptive disease?

Section 3.309(a) lists it on the one-year chronic-disease rule. Section 3.309(c)(2) lists it for a former prisoner of war interned at least 30 days. Section 3.309(d)(2)(xiii) names primary liver cancer and excepts the case where cirrhosis is indicated. It does not list cirrhosis itself. Section 3.309(e) does not name cirrhosis.

What if hepatocellular carcinoma occurs with cirrhosis?

Note (1) says to rate that carcinoma under DC 7343, malignant neoplasms of the digestive system, exclusive of skin growths, in lieu of DC 7312.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 7312, whether a MELD score is in the record, and whether Note (1) sent hepatocellular carcinoma to DC 7343.
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other digestive codes are on the digestive diagnostic-code index. The category page is digestive conditions.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Digestive, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Digestive codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 7312 • va.gov

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