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)
DC 6309 covers rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that follows a strep infection. The VA rates the active disease at 100%, and afterward rates the residuals under their own codes: rheumatic heart disease under DC 7000, arthritis under DC 5002 or DC 5003, and chorea under DC 8105 (38 CFR 4.88b).
Rating levels
- Note — Once the active rheumatic fever has resolved, any lasting damage is rated under the body system it affects. The regulation names heart damage as examples; other residuals are rated under their own codes and the ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.
- 100% — You qualify for 100% while the rheumatic fever is active. Once the active phase resolves, this code rates 0% and any lasting damage is rated under the body system it affects.
- 0% — After the active rheumatic fever has resolved, this code itself rates 0%. Any lasting damage is rated under the body system it affects; the regulation names heart damage as examples.