Body system: Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional DeficienciesRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.88b
Rickettsial, ehrlichia, and anaplasma infections are tick-borne or arthropod-vector-borne illnesses caused by obligate intracellular bacteria (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, typhus, etc.). 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 (neurological sequelae under § 4.124a, cardiac involvement under DC 7000, renal damage under the genitourinary codes, hepatic involvement under the digestive codes, and hematologic abnormalities under the hemic and lymphatic codes), then combined under § 4.25.
Rating levels
- 100% — You qualify for 100% during active rickettsial, ehrlichia, or anaplasma infection. 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 rickettsial, ehrlichia, or anaplasma infection 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 neurological sequelae under § 4.124a, cardiac involvement under DC 7000, renal damage under the genitourinary codes, hepatic involvement under the digestive codes, and hematologic abnormalities under the hemic and lymphatic codes. Per 38 CFR § 4.88b General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases.
- -1% — Once the active phase of rickettsial, ehrlichia, or anaplasma infection has resolved, DC itself rates at 0% and any lasting damage is rated under whichever body-system code best captures the deficit (neurological sequelae under § 4.124a, cardiac involvement under DC 7000, renal damage under the genitourinary codes, hepatic involvement under the digestive codes, and hematologic abnormalities under the hemic and lymphatic codes). Multiple residual ratings are combined under 38 CFR § 4.25.