Body system: Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional DeficienciesRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.88b
Plague is the bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis, transmitted by infected fleas, in three clinical forms (bubonic, septicemic, pneumonic), each of which can leave significant residuals if survived. 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 (pulmonary scarring under the respiratory codes (especially after pneumonic plague), lymphatic damage under the hemic and lymphatic codes, skin necrosis under the skin codes, and neurological sequelae under § 4.124a), then combined under § 4.25.
Rating levels
- 100% — You qualify for 100% during active plague. 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 plague 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 pulmonary scarring under the respiratory codes (especially after pneumonic plague), lymphatic damage under the hemic and lymphatic codes, skin necrosis under the skin codes, and neurological sequelae under § 4.124a. Per 38 CFR § 4.88b General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases.
- -1% — Once the active phase of plague has resolved, DC itself rates at 0% and any lasting damage is rated under whichever body-system code best captures the deficit (pulmonary scarring under the respiratory codes (especially after pneumonic plague), lymphatic damage under the hemic and lymphatic codes, skin necrosis under the skin codes, and neurological sequelae under § 4.124a). Multiple residual ratings are combined under 38 CFR § 4.25.