C&P Exam Prep Guide for Nontuberculosis mycobacterium infection (DC 6312)

Read the C&P exam preparation guideWhat happens at the exam, what 38 CFR Part 4 requires the examiner to record, and what to bring.
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Diagnostic code: 6312Condition: Nontuberculosis mycobacterium infectionRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.88bDBQ: DBQ INF Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies

YOUR EXAM BLUEPRINT

Nontuberculosis mycobacterium infection

This exam covers an infectious disease and its lasting effects. The examiner reviews your history and labs, then rates under 38 CFR 4.88b.

DC 6312

DBQ used for this condition

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    DBQ INF Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies
    Open the public DBQ
    Public form

What the examination is likely to focus on

History and interviewThe infection, when it occurred, and how it was treated. Fever episodes, relapses, and current symptoms. Any lasting effects on organs and the effect on daily life.
Physical examinationGeneral exam, checking temperature, the spleen and liver, and overall condition.
Diagnostic testingUsed to confirm active infection or its residuals. Blood smear and blood tests.
Functional assessmentWhether the infection is active or in a residual stage, and the frequency of relapses, which set the rating. Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.88b (e.g. malaria DC 6304).

Functional-impact topics to describe

  • Whether the infection is active or in a residual stage, and the frequency of relapses, which set the rating.
  • Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.88b (e.g. malaria DC 6304).
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Which form the examiner uses

For nontuberculosis mycobacterium infection (DC 6312), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What to expect at your C&P exam

This exam covers an infectious disease and its lasting effects. The examiner reviews your history and labs, then rates under 38 CFR 4.88b.

1Initial interview (history)

  • The infection, when it occurred, and how it was treated.
  • Fever episodes, relapses, and current symptoms.
  • Any lasting effects on organs and the effect on daily life.

2Physical examination

  • General exam, checking temperature, the spleen and liver, and overall condition.

3Diagnostic tests the examiner may rely on

Used to confirm active infection or its residuals.

Blood smear and blood tests
Examine the blood for the infection and its effects.

4Functional assessment

  • Whether the infection is active or in a residual stage, and the frequency of relapses, which set the rating.
  • Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.88b (e.g. malaria DC 6304).

Test explainers open MedlinePlus (NIH National Library of Medicine), or Wikipedia where MedlinePlus has no matching page. This describes what happens and what is measured, not how to influence a result.

What the examiner records (full DBQ form)

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

VA's public form title is Infectious Diseases (Other than HIV-Related Illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Tuberculosis). It evaluates a named list of infectious diseases, including rheumatic fever, malaria, and nontuberculosis mycobacterium infection, documenting diagnosis, history, active/inactive status, physical findings, diagnostic confirmation, and functional impact.

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire.
  • 1B. Diagnosis (check all that apply, with ICD code and date of diagnosis): Bartonellosis; Brucellosis; Campylobacter jejuni infection; Coxiella burnetii (Q fever); Hemorrhagic fevers; Hyperinfection syndrome/strongyloidiasis; Leprosy; Lyme disease; Lymphatic filariasis; Malaria; Melioidosis; Miliary tuberculosis; Nontuberculosis mycobacterium; Nontyphoid salmonella; Parasitic disease NOS; Plague; Relapsing fever; Rheumatic fever; Rickettsial/ehrlichia/anaplasma; Schistosomiasis; Shigella infections; Syphilis; Vibriosis/cholera; Visceral leishmaniasis; West Nile virus; Other specified conditions
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. Describe the disease history, onset, and course.
DISEASE STATUS (Section III)
  • Active/inactive status, treatment cessation date, inactivity date, current symptoms, residual conditions, for each diagnosed condition
PHYSICAL FINDINGS (Section IV)
  • Complications and related symptoms, examiner comments
DIAGNOSTIC CONFIRMATION (Section V)
  • Visceral leishmaniasis/miliary TB/nontuberculosis mycobacterium confirmation (culture, histopathology, lab testing); malaria confirmation (blood smears, diagnostic tests); brucellosis confirmation (culture, serologic testing); melioidosis confirmation (culture, diagnostic tests); confirmation testing for all other listed infectious diseases
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VI)
  • Impact of the condition(s) on the Veteran's ability to work
REMARKS (Section VII)
  • Additional remarks, if any, with reference to relevant sections.

Rating Levels for DC 6312

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 6312

The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.

  • Service treatment records: appeared in 3 granted decisions (8 denied; 11 decided total)
  • Medical literature: appeared in 2 granted decisions (0 denied; 2 decided total)
  • Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 0 granted decisions (3 denied; 3 decided total)
View the full DC 6312 pageSearch BVA decisions for this codeAbout DBQ forms

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.