38 C.F.R. § 4.88b
Current through October 31, 2024
Note: Rate any residual disability of infection within the appropriate body system as indicated by the notes in the evaluation criteria. As applicable, consider the long-term health effects potentially associated with infectious diseases as listed in § 3.317(d) of this chapter, specifically Brucellosis, Campylobacter jejuni, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), Malaria, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Nontyphoid Salmonella, Shigella, Visceral Leishmaniasis, and West Nile virus.
| Rating | |
| General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases: | |
| For active disease | 100 |
| After active disease has resolved, rate at 0 percent for infection. Rate any residual disability of infection within the appropriate body system. | |
| 6300 Vibriosis (Cholera, Non-cholera): | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate residuals of cholera and non-cholera vibrio infections, such as renal failure, skin, and musculoskeletal conditions, within the appropriate body system. | |
| 6301 Visceral leishmaniasis: | |
| As active disease | 100 |
| Note 1: Continue a 100 percent evaluation beyond the cessation of treatment for active disease. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, determine the appropriate disability rating by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. Thereafter, rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to liver damage and bone marrow disease. | |
| Note 2: Confirm the recurrence of active infection by culture, histopathology, or other diagnostic laboratory testing. | |
| 6302 Leprosy (Hansen's disease): | |
| As active disease | 100 |
| Note: Continue a 100 percent evaluation beyond the cessation of treatment for active disease. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, determine the appropriate disability rating by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. Thereafter, rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, or amputations. | |
| 6304 Malaria: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note 1: The diagnosis of malaria, both initially and during relapse, depends on the identification of the malarial parasites in blood smears or other specific diagnostic laboratory tests such as antigen detection, immunologic (immunochromatographic) tests, and molecular testing such as polymerase chain reaction tests. | |
| Note 2: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, liver or splenic damage, and central nervous system conditions. | |
| 6305 Lymphatic filariasis, to include elephantiasis: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, epididymitis, lymphangitis, lymphatic obstruction, or lymphedema affecting extremities, genitals, and/or breasts. | |
| 6306 Bartonellosis: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, endocarditis or skin lesions. | |
| 6307 Plague: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection. | |
| 6308 Relapsing Fever: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, liver or spleen damage, iritis, uveitis, or central nervous system involvement. | |
| 6309 Rheumatic fever: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, heart damage. | |
| 6310 Syphilis, and other treponema infections: | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, diseases of the nervous system, vascular system, eyes, or ears (see DC 7004, DC 8013, DC 8014, DC 8015, and DC 9301). | |
| 6311 Tuberculosis, miliary: | |
| As active disease | 100 |
| Inactive disease: See§§ 4.88c and 4.89 . | |
| Note 1: Confirm the recurrence of active infection by culture, histopathology, or other diagnostic laboratory testing. | |
| Note 2: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection which includes, but is not limited to, skin conditions and conditions of the respiratory, central nervous, musculoskeletal, ocular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems and those residuals listed in § 4.88c . | |
| 6312 Nontuberculosis mycobacterium infection: | |
| As active disease | 100 |
| Note 1: Continue the rating of 100 percent for the duration of treatment for active disease followed by a mandatory VA exam. If there is no relapse, rate on residuals. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. | |
| Note 2: Confirm the recurrence of active infection by culture, histopathology, or other diagnostic laboratory testing. | |
| Note 3: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection which includes, but is not limited to, skin conditions and conditions of the respiratory, central nervous, musculoskeletal, ocular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems and those residuals listed in § 4.88c . | |
| 6313 Avitaminosis: | |
| Marked mental changes, moist dermatitis, inability to retain adequate nourishment, exhaustion, and cachexia | 100 |
| With all of the symptoms listed below, plus mental symptoms and impaired bodily vigor | 60 |
| With stomatitis, diarrhea, and symmetrical dermatitis | 40 |
| With stomatitis, or achlorhydria, or diarrhea | 20 |
| Confirmed diagnosis with nonspecific symptoms such as: decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness, inability to concentrate and irritability | 10 |
| 6314 Beriberi: | |
| As active disease: | |
| With congestive heart failure, anasarca, or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome | 100 |
| With cardiomegaly, or; with peripheral neuropathy with footdrop or atrophy of thigh or calf muscles | 60 |
| With peripheral neuropathy with absent knee or ankle jerks and loss of sensation, or; with symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, anorexia, dizziness, heaviness and stiffness of legs, headache or sleep disturbance | 30 |
| Thereafter rate residuals under the appropriate body system. | |
| 6315 Pellagra: | |
| Marked mental changes, moist dermatitis, inability to retain adequate nourishment, exhaustion, and cachexia | 100 |
| With all of the symptoms listed below, plus mental symptoms and impaired bodily vigor | 60 |
| With stomatitis, diarrhea, and symmetrical dermatitis | 40 |
| With stomatitis, or achlorhydria, or diarrhea | 20 |
| Confirmed diagnosis with nonspecific symptoms such as: decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness, inability to concentrate and irritability | 10 |
| 6316 Brucellosis: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note 1: Culture, serologic testing, or both must confirm the initial diagnosis and recurrence of active infection. | |
| Note 2: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, meningitis, liver, spleen and musculoskeletal conditions. | |
| 6317 Rickettsial, ehrlichia, and anaplasma infections: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note 1: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, bone marrow, spleen, central nervous system, and skin conditions. | |
| Note 2: This diagnostic code includes, but is not limited to, scrub typhus, Rickettsial pox, African tick-borne fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, or anaplasmosis. | |
| 6318 Melioidosis: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note 1: Confirm by culture or other specific diagnostic laboratory tests the initial diagnosis and any relapse or chronic activity of infection. | |
| Note 2: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, arthritis, lung lesions, or meningitis. | |
| 6319 Lyme disease: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, arthritis, Bell's palsy, radiculopathy, ocular, or cognitive dysfunction. | |
| 6320 Parasitic diseases otherwise not specified: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection. | |
| 6325 Hyperinfection syndrome or disseminated strongyloidiasis: | |
| As active disease | 100 |
| Note: Continue the rating of 100 percent through active disease followed by a mandatory VA exam. If there is no relapse, rate on residual disability. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. | |
| 6326 Schistosomiasis: | |
| As acute or asymptomatic chronic disease | 0 |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, conditions of the liver, intestinal system, female genital tract, genitourinary tract, or central nervous system. | |
| 6329 Hemorrhagic fevers, including dengue, yellow fever, and others: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, conditions of the central nervous system, liver, or kidney. | |
| 6330 Campylobacter jejuni infection: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, Guillain-Barre syndrome, reactive arthritis, or uveitis. | |
| 6331 Coxiella burnetii infection (Q fever): | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, chronic hepatitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, post Q-fever chronic fatigue syndrome, or vascular infections. | |
| 6333 Nontyphoid salmonella infections: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, reactive arthritis. | |
| 6334 Shigella infections: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, hemolytic-uremic syndrome or reactive arthritis. | |
| 6335 West Nile virus infection: | |
| Evaluate under the General Rating Formula. | |
| Note: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection, which includes, but is not limited to, variable physical, functional, or cognitive disabilities. | |
| 6350 Lupus erythematosus, systemic (disseminated): | |
| Not to be combined with ratings under DC 7809 Acute, with frequent exacerbations, producing severe impairment of health | 100 |
| Exacerbations lasting a week or more, 2 or 3 times per year | 60 |
| Exacerbations once or twice a year or symptomatic during the past 2 years | 10 |
| NOTE: Evaluate this condition either by combining the evaluations for residuals under the appropriate system, or by evaluating DC 6350, whichever method results in a higher evaluation. | |
| 6351 HIV-related illness: | |
| AIDS with recurrent opportunistic infections (see Note 3) or with secondary diseases afflicting multiple body systems; HIV-related illness with debility and progressive weight loss | 100 |
| Refractory constitutional symptoms, diarrhea, and pathological weight loss; or minimum rating following development of AIDS-related opportunistic infection or neoplasm | 60 |
| Recurrent constitutional symptoms, intermittent diarrhea, and use of approved medication(s); or minimum rating with T4 cell count less than 200 | 30 |
| Following development of HIV-related constitutional symptoms; T4 cell count between 200 and 500; use of approved medication(s); or with evidence of depression or memory loss with employment limitations | 10 |
| Asymptomatic, following initial diagnosis of HIV infection, with or without lymphadenopathy or decreased T4 cell count | 0 |
| Note 1: In addition to standard therapies and regimens, the term "approved medication(s)" includes treatment regimens and medications prescribed as part of a research protocol at an accredited medical institution. | |
| Note 2: Diagnosed psychiatric illness, central nervous system manifestations, opportunistic infections, and neoplasms may be rated separately under the appropriate diagnostic codes if a higher overall evaluation results, provided the disability symptoms do not overlap with evaluations otherwise assignable above. | |
| Note 3: The following list of opportunistic infections are considered AIDS-defining conditions, that is, a diagnosis of AIDS follows if a person has HIV and one more of these infections, regardless of the CD4 count-candidiasis of the bronchi, trachea, esophagus, or lungs; invasive cervical cancer; coccidioidomycosis; cryptococcosis; cryptosporidiosis; cytomegalovirus (particularly CMV retinitis); HIV-related encephalopathy; herpes simplex-chronic ulcers for greater than one month, or bronchitis, pneumonia, or esophagitis; histoplasmosis; isosporiasis (chronic intestinal); Kaposi's sarcoma; lymphoma; mycobacterium avium complex; tuberculosis; pneumocystis jirovecii (carinii) pneumonia; pneumonia, recurrent; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; salmonella septicemia, recurrent; toxoplasmosis of the brain; and wasting syndrome due to HIV. | |
| 6354 Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): | |
| Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), or a combination of other signs and symptoms: | |
| Which are nearly constant and so severe as to restrict routine daily activities almost completely and which may occasionally preclude self-care | 100 |
| Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level; or which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least six weeks total duration per year | 60 |
| Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities from 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level; or which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least four but less than six weeks total duration per year | 40 |
| Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level; or which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least two but less than four weeks total duration per year | 20 |
| Which wax and wane but result in periods of incapacitation of at least one but less than two weeks total duration per year; or symptoms controlled by continuous medication | 10 |
| Note: For the purpose of evaluating this disability, incapacitation exists only when a licensed physician prescribes bed rest and treatment. |
38 C.F.R. §4.88b