VA Disability Rating for Shigella infections (DC 6334)

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)

Shigella species cause bacillary dysentery, an acute infectious diarrhea with bloody stools, sometimes followed by post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome or reactive arthritis. 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 (post-infectious irritable bowel under the digestive codes, reactive arthritis under the musculoskeletal codes, and dehydration sequelae under the renal codes), then combined under § 4.25.

Rating levels

  • 100% — You qualify for 100% during active Shigella 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 Shigella infection has resolved, this code itself rates 0%. Any lasting damage is rated under the body system it affects, not under this code; the regulation names hemolytic-uremic syndrome (a kidney and blood complication) and reactive arthritis as examples. Multiple residual ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.
  • Note — Once the active Shigella infection has resolved, any lasting damage is rated under the body system it affects. The regulation names hemolytic-uremic syndrome (a kidney and blood complication) and reactive arthritis as examples; other residuals are rated under their own codes and the ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.

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