Body system: Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional DeficienciesRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.88bDBQ: DBQ INFECT Infectious Disease (Other than HIV-related illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Tuberculosis)
Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by Plasmodium species, transmitted by Anopheles mosquito bites, often with recurring acute febrile attacks separated by symptom-free intervals. The VA rates this condition under the General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases (38 CFR § 4.88b): 100% during the active phase of disease (acute infection requiring treatment), then 0% under this DC once the active disease has resolved. Any lasting damage from the infection (residuals) is rated SEPARATELY under whichever body-system code best matches the deficit (anemia and splenic enlargement under the hemic and lymphatic codes, hepatic involvement under the digestive codes, neurological sequelae under § 4.124a), then combined under § 4.25.
Rating levels
- 100% — You qualify for 100% during active malaria. The 100% rating recognizes that an active systemic infection of this severity is incapacitating, regardless of which specific organ systems are affected at the time. Once the active phase resolves, the DC itself drops to 0% and any lasting damage is rated under the appropriate body-system codes.
- 0% — After the active phase of malaria has resolved, DC itself rates at 0%. Any lasting damage (residuals) is NOT rated under this DC, instead it is rated under whichever body-system code best captures the damage, including anemia and splenic enlargement under the hemic and lymphatic codes, hepatic involvement under the digestive codes, neurological sequelae under § 4.124a. Per 38 CFR § 4.88b General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases.
- -1% — Once the active phase of malaria has resolved, DC itself rates at 0% and any lasting damage is rated under whichever body-system code best captures the deficit (anemia and splenic enlargement under the hemic and lymphatic codes, hepatic involvement under the digestive codes, neurological sequelae under § 4.124a). Multiple residual ratings are combined under 38 CFR § 4.25.