Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection affecting many veterans who qualify for VA disability compensation. Veterans developed Hepatitis C from military service—blood transfusions, occupational exposures, contaminated needles, and service-related risk factors cause Hepatitis C affecting veterans. Many veterans experience chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and functional impairment from service-connected Hepatitis C. Yet many veterans don’t realize they qualify for VA disability benefits for Hepatitis C or don’t understand how the VA rates Hep C in veterans. This comprehensive article explains how veterans develop service-connected Hepatitis C, how veterans can file disability claims for Hep C, what disability ratings veterans with Hepatitis C receive, and how veterans can maximize compensation for Hepatitis C disabilities.

How Veterans Develop Service-Connected Hepatitis C

Veterans develop Hepatitis C through various service-related pathways:

Blood Transfusions: Veterans who received blood transfusions during military service or from combat-related injuries may have contracted Hepatitis C from contaminated blood. The veteran’s transfusion during medical treatment affected the veteran’s health by transmitting HCV to the veteran.

Occupational Exposures: Veterans serving in medical roles, combat medic positions, or dental services were exposed to Hepatitis C through needle-stick injuries or blood contact. Military occupational exposure to HCV in veterans occurred frequently during the veteran’s service.

Contaminated Medical Equipment: Veterans exposed to contaminated needles, syringes, or medical instruments during the veteran’s military service contracted Hepatitis C. Unsafe medical practices during the veteran’s service exposed the veteran to HCV.

Tattoos and Body Piercings: Some veterans contracted Hepatitis C from military tattoos or piercings using non-sterile equipment during the veteran’s service. The veteran’s exposure to unsanitary tattooing practices affected the veteran’s health.

Deployment to Endemic Areas: Veterans deployed to countries with high Hepatitis C prevalence contracted HCV during military service. The veteran’s deployment exposure to HCV transmission caused the veteran’s Hepatitis C affecting the veteran.

Service-Related Immunosuppression: Some veterans developed Hepatitis C because military service compromised the veteran’s immune system. Chronic stress or service-related health factors increased the veteran’s vulnerability to HCV transmission affecting the veteran.

Presumptive Service Connection: Some veterans qualify for presumptive Hepatitis C benefits. Veterans exposed to bloodborne pathogens during medical treatment in military service may qualify for presumptive HCV. Veterans with certain service-connected conditions might qualify for presumptive Hepatitis C affecting the veteran.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C in Veterans

Veterans with Hepatitis C experience various symptoms affecting the veteran:

Fatigue: The primary symptom of Hepatitis C in veterans is chronic fatigue affecting the veteran’s energy and work capacity. The exhaustion in veterans with HCV is often severe and affects the veteran’s daily functioning.

Abdominal Pain: Veterans with Hepatitis C frequently experience abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant where the liver is located. The discomfort in the veteran from HCV affects the veteran’s ability to work and perform daily activities.

Joint and Muscle Pain: HCV-related arthralgia and myalgia in veterans cause chronic pain affecting the veteran’s occupational capacity. The pain in the veteran can limit physical activity and work performance.

Jaundice: Some veterans with acute or advanced Hepatitis C develop jaundice showing yellowing of skin and eyes. The jaundice in veterans indicates serious liver involvement affecting the veteran’s health status.

Nausea and Loss of Appetite: Veterans with Hepatitis C experience nausea and loss of appetite from liver dysfunction. The reduced appetite in the veteran affects the veteran’s nutritional status and weight.

Brain Fog and Memory Problems: HCV-related hepatic encephalopathy causes cognitive difficulties in some veterans. The mental fog in the veteran affects the veteran’s concentration and occupational performance.

Liver Dysfunction: Advanced Hepatitis C causes progressive liver damage in veterans. The liver disease in the veteran may progress to cirrhosis affecting the veteran’s overall health and life expectancy.

Service Connection for Veterans with Hepatitis C

Veterans can establish service connection for Hepatitis C through several pathways:

Direct Service Connection: Veterans can establish direct service connection by showing that HCV resulted from military service factors. A veteran exposed to contaminated blood products or needles during the veteran’s military service can establish service connection for the veteran’s Hepatitis C.

Secondary Service Connection: Some veterans establish service connection for HCV-related liver disease as a secondary condition to other service-connected conditions. Veterans show how their primary service-connected condition increases vulnerability to HCV complications affecting the veteran.

Presumptive Service Connection: Veterans may qualify for presumptive Hepatitis C benefits if they received medical treatment in military service with potential bloodborne pathogen exposure. Veterans with certain service-connected liver conditions might qualify for presumptive HCV affecting the veteran.

Disability Ratings for Veterans with Hepatitis C

The VA rates Hepatitis C in veterans based on severity, liver function status, and functional impact. Hepatitis C ratings in veterans range from 0% to 100%, depending on disease progression and liver damage.

0-10% Rating for Veterans: Veterans at this level have Hepatitis C with minimal liver dysfunction and minimal functional impairment. The veteran may have HCV without advanced liver disease and the veteran’s condition doesn’t substantially affect the veteran’s occupational capacity.

20-30% Rating for Veterans: Veterans receiving these ratings have Hepatitis C causing moderate liver involvement affecting the veteran’s functioning. The veteran experiences some limitations in physical activity and the veteran’s HCV causes ongoing health impact affecting the veteran.

40-60% Rating for Veterans: Veterans with moderate to severe Hepatitis C and liver disease receive these ratings. The veteran experiences significant functional limitation and the veteran’s HCV substantially impacts the veteran’s occupational capacity.

70% or Higher Rating for Veterans: Veterans with cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease, or severe HCV receive 70% or higher ratings. The veteran experiences severe liver dysfunction and the veteran’s condition severely limits daily functioning and occupational capacity.

Filing for Hepatitis C Disability Benefits as a Veteran

To file for VA disability benefits for Hepatitis C, veterans submit VA Form 21-0960 (Application for Disability Compensation) indicating Hepatitis C or HCV as the claimed condition.

Veterans filing for Hepatitis C should include:

• Medical records documenting the veteran’s Hepatitis C diagnosis and antibody testing (HCV Ab)
• HCV RNA testing results confirming active Hepatitis C infection in the veteran
• Liver function tests (LFTs) showing the veteran’s liver status and function
• Liver biopsy results or non-invasive fibrosis markers (FIB-4, APRI scores) showing the veteran’s liver damage
• Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT, MRI) documenting the veteran’s liver condition
• Records of HCV treatment the veteran received and treatment response
• Documentation of viral load monitoring and the veteran’s HCV status over time
• A personal statement from the veteran describing how the veteran’s Hepatitis C affects the veteran’s daily life and work
• If filing for secondary HCV complications, medical evidence showing liver-related conditions affecting the veteran
• Information about the veteran’s military service and potential HCV exposures during the veteran’s service

Veterans should clearly explain how the veteran believes the veteran’s Hepatitis C is service-connected.

The Compensation and Pension Exam for Veterans with Hepatitis C

When veterans file for Hepatitis C disability, the VA typically schedules a Compensation and Pension exam. During the veteran’s exam, the VA examiner will:

• Review the veteran’s medical records and Hepatitis C history
• Ask the veteran detailed questions about HCV symptoms and severity affecting the veteran
• Inquire about the veteran’s liver function and any cirrhosis development
• Ask about HCV treatment the veteran has received and the veteran’s response to therapy
• Assess how the veteran’s Hepatitis C impacts occupational capacity and daily functioning
• Document the veteran’s functional limitations caused by the veteran’s HCV
• Request current liver function testing and imaging if not recently obtained for the veteran

Veterans should prepare for the veteran’s exam by describing specifically how the veteran’s HCV symptoms affect the veteran’s work and daily life, discussing treatment history and outcomes, and being prepared to discuss occupational limitations from the veteran’s Hepatitis C.

Secondary Conditions in Veterans with Hepatitis C

Veterans should file claims for conditions secondary to their Hepatitis C:

Cirrhosis: Chronic HCV causes progressive cirrhosis in the veteran. Secondary cirrhosis in veterans from HCV can receive separate consideration and may warrant higher disability ratings.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Veterans with advanced HCV may develop liver cancer. Secondary HCC in the veteran from chronic HCV complications can receive separate disability ratings.

Portal Hypertension: HCV-related cirrhosis causes portal hypertension in the veteran. Secondary portal hypertension in veterans from HCV can receive separate ratings affecting the veteran.

Fatigue Syndrome: Veterans with chronic HCV may develop disabling fatigue. Secondary fatigue conditions in the veteran from HCV qualify for separate ratings.

Depression and Anxiety: Veterans with chronic Hepatitis C may develop depression and anxiety from managing a serious chronic disease. Secondary mental health conditions in veterans from HCV qualify for separate ratings.

These secondary conditions increase the veteran’s combined disability rating.

Combining Hepatitis C with Other Veteran Disabilities

Many veterans have Hepatitis C combined with other service-connected conditions. For example, a veteran might have a 40% rating for HCV and a 30% rating for another condition, plus other disabilities affecting the veteran.

All conditions in veterans combine using the VA’s combined rating formula to determine the veteran’s total disability rating. Use our disability calculator at https://vetvalor.com/va-disability-calculator-2026/ to understand exactly how your HCV rating combines with your other service-connected conditions as a veteran. The calculator shows veterans their total combined rating and monthly compensation.

Rating Increases for Veterans with Worsening Hepatitis C

Veterans whose Hepatitis C worsens over time should file for rating increases. Some veterans develop progressive liver disease requiring more intensive treatment or causing serious complications affecting the veteran.

Veterans should file for rating increases when:

• The veteran’s HCV progresses to cirrhosis
• The veteran develops portal hypertension or ascites from liver disease
• The veteran requires hepatitis C treatment with newer direct-acting antivirals
• The veteran’s liver function has significantly declined
• The veteran’s HCV increasingly impacts occupational capacity

When filing for a rating increase, veterans should submit updated medical evidence showing the veteran’s worsened HCV condition and current functional impact.

Use our disability calculator at https://vetvalor.com/va-disability-calculator-2026/ to see how an HCV rating increase would affect your combined rating and total compensation as a veteran.

Understanding Your Hepatitis C Disability Compensation

A veteran’s HCV disability compensation depends on the veteran’s Hepatitis C rating and any other service-connected conditions the veteran has. Use our disability calculator at https://vetvalor.com/va-disability-calculator-2026/ to determine:

• Your combined rating including HCV and other disabilities
• Your monthly compensation based on your disability ratings
• How an HCV rating increase would affect your total compensation
• How Hepatitis C combines with other service-connected conditions affecting the veteran

The calculator helps veterans understand their total compensation when HCV combines with other disabilities.

Hepatitis C Treatment and Management for Veterans

Veterans with service-connected Hepatitis C should establish regular care with VA hepatologists or gastroenterologists knowledgeable about HCV management. The VA offers veterans:

• Hepatology evaluation and HCV diagnosis confirmation and monitoring
• Direct-acting antiviral therapy to cure Hepatitis C in eligible veterans
• Regular liver function monitoring to track the veteran’s disease progression
• Liver imaging and fibroscan to assess cirrhosis risk in the veteran
• Treatment of HCV-related complications affecting the veteran
• Vaccination against Hepatitis A and B in the veteran without immunity

Veterans should maintain regular VA care both for treatment and to create medical documentation supporting disability ratings and potential rating increase claims.

Occupational Considerations for Veterans with Hepatitis C

The VA recognizes that advanced Hepatitis C affects occupational capacity in veterans. Veterans whose severe HCV or cirrhosis prevent them from performing their previous occupation may need to change careers affecting the veteran.

Veterans with Hepatitis C limiting occupational capacity should consider filing for Individual Unemployability (IU).

Appealing Denied Hepatitis C Claims for Veterans

If the VA denies a veteran’s HCV claim, the veteran can appeal. Many veterans successfully overturn denials by:

• Submitting additional medical evidence documenting the veteran’s Hepatitis C diagnosis
• Obtaining statements from hepatologists confirming the veteran’s HCV and functional impact
• Working with a VA-accredited representative who understands HCV claims
• Providing detailed descriptions of the veteran’s HCV symptoms and limitations
• Filing for secondary HCV complications if approved for the primary condition
• Filing additional rating increase claims as the veteran’s HCV progresses

Don’t accept a denied HCV claim without appeal—many veterans successfully obtain Hepatitis C disability benefits.

Conclusion

Hepatitis C is a serious service-connected disability affecting many veterans, significantly impacting the veteran’s liver function, occupational capacity, and quality of life. Veterans who developed HCV from military service, occupational exposures, or medical treatment deserve disability compensation. If you’re a veteran with Hepatitis C, file a disability claim documenting your HCV diagnosis and how the veteran’s condition affects your functioning. Document your symptoms, treatment history, and any liver-related complications. File for secondary HCV complications if appropriate for the veteran’s condition. Maintain regular VA hepatology care and document your symptoms and functional limitations. Use our disability calculator at https://vetvalor.com/va-disability-calculator-2026/ to understand your combined rating and total compensation when HCV combines with other veteran disabilities. As a veteran with service-connected Hepatitis C, you deserve disability benefits recognizing your condition and compensating you for the functional impact on your veteran life.