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)
Relapsing fever is caused by Borrelia species (transmitted by lice or soft ticks) and features recurring episodes of fever separated by afebrile 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 (cardiac involvement under the cardiovascular codes, neurological sequelae under § 4.124a, hepatic or splenic involvement under the digestive and hemic codes), then combined under § 4.25.
Rating levels
- 100% — You qualify for 100% during active relapsing fever. 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 relapsing fever 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 cardiac involvement under the cardiovascular codes, neurological sequelae under § 4.124a, hepatic or splenic involvement under the digestive and hemic codes. Per 38 CFR § 4.88b General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases.
- Note — Once the active relapsing fever has resolved, any lasting damage is rated under the body system it affects. The regulation names liver or spleen damage, iritis and uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) and central nervous system involvement as examples; other residuals are rated under their own codes and the ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.