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)
Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection (Brucella species) contracted from unpasteurized dairy or contact with infected livestock, often presenting with prolonged undulant fever and multi-system involvement. 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 (chronic fatigue, hepatic or splenic involvement under the digestive and hemic codes, joint inflammation under the musculoskeletal codes, and cardiac or neurological complications under their respective body-system codes), then combined under § 4.25.
Rating levels
- 100% — You qualify for 100% during active brucellosis. 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 brucellosis 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 chronic fatigue, hepatic or splenic involvement under the digestive and hemic codes, joint inflammation under the musculoskeletal codes, and cardiac or neurological complications under their respective body-system codes. Per 38 CFR § 4.88b General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases.
- Note — Once the active brucellosis has resolved, any lasting damage is rated under the body system it affects. The regulation names meningitis, liver and spleen damage and musculoskeletal conditions (such as joint or spine involvement) as examples; other residuals are rated under their own codes and the ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.
- Note — The diagnosis of brucellosis, and any claimed recurrence of the active infection, must be confirmed by a laboratory culture, by blood (serologic) testing, or by both. A diagnosis made from symptoms alone does not meet the regulation.