Residuals of injury of the liver (DC 7311)

Body system: Digestive SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.114

Residuals of liver injury are the chronic, long-term consequences of a prior traumatic or surgical injury to the liver (blunt trauma, penetrating injury, partial hepatectomy, transplant-related complications). The VA does not assign a stand-alone rating under DC 7311. Instead, 38 CFR § 4.114 directs raters to separately evaluate each consequence of the injury: peritoneal adhesions get rated under DC 7301, cirrhosis under DC 7312, and chronic liver dysfunction without cirrhosis under DC 7345. The separate evaluations are then combined using 38 CFR § 4.25.

Rating levels

  • -1% — There is no single rating ladder for liver injury residuals. The VA evaluates each separate consequence of the injury under its own diagnostic code and adds the resulting evaluations using the combined ratings table (38 CFR § 4.25). Adhesions or scar tissue in the abdominal cavity from the injury are rated under DC 7301. If cirrhosis developed, rate that under DC 7312. If chronic liver dysfunction without cirrhosis is present (fatigue, malaise, hepatomegaly, abnormal liver enzymes), rate under DC 7345. Read all three ladders that apply to your residuals.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.