Body system: Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional DeficienciesRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.88b
Bartonellosis is a group of infections caused by Bartonella bacteria (including cat scratch disease, trench fever, and Carrion disease), spread by arthropod vectors or direct contact. 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 under the hemic and lymphatic codes, hepatic or splenic involvement under the digestive codes, cardiac involvement (endocarditis) under DC 7000, and any other organ damage), then combined under § 4.25.
Rating levels
- 100% — You qualify for 100% during active bartonellosis. 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 bartonellosis 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 under the hemic and lymphatic codes, hepatic or splenic involvement under the digestive codes, cardiac involvement (endocarditis) under DC 7000, and any other organ damage. Per 38 CFR § 4.88b General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases.
- -1% — Once the active phase of bartonellosis has resolved, DC itself rates at 0% and any lasting damage is rated under whichever body-system code best captures the deficit (anemia under the hemic and lymphatic codes, hepatic or splenic involvement under the digestive codes, cardiac involvement (endocarditis) under DC 7000, and any other organ damage). Multiple residual ratings are combined under 38 CFR § 4.25.