Connecting Relapsing fever to Military Service
Infectious and immune disorders are claimed by veterans through several pathways specific to military service: deployment to disease-endemic regions, exposure to contaminated water sources, transmission in crowded training environments, and long-term immunosuppression from service-related stress and toxic exposures. Relapsing fever may have been acquired during overseas deployments to tropical or developing-world environments, caused by occupational chemical exposures, or be an immune consequence of toxic exposure that is presumptively service-connected under the PACT Act or Agent Orange provisions. Veterans returning from deployments to endemic areas hold specific presumptive disease rights under VA regulations.
How VA Rates Relapsing fever
The VA rates Relapsing fever based on the severity of chronic symptoms, organ system involvement, frequency of acute episodes, and functional impairment in daily activities and work. Active infectious diseases are rated during the acute phase at 100%, with residuals rated based on permanent functional damage after recovery. Chronic immune disorders are rated on the basis of the affected organ systems and the degree of impairment. Ratings range from 0% to 100% depending on severity and systemic involvement.
Diagnostic Code: 6308 — Relapsing feveris evaluated under 38 CFR Part 4 using this code. Ratings are determined at your Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam and confirmed in your rating decision letter.
Evidence Required for Your Relapsing fever Claim
- Infectious disease specialist or immunologist evaluation with diagnosis and treatment records
- Deployment records establishing service in disease-endemic regions
- Service treatment records or sick call records documenting illness onset during service
- Lab results confirming current diagnosis (serology, cultures, PCR testing)
- Private physician nexus letter connecting the condition to deployment or in-service exposure
- Documentation of all complications and affected organ systems
Frequently Asked Questions — Relapsing fever and VA Disability
How does VA rate Relapsing fever?
VA rates infectious and immune disorders based on the severity of active disease and permanent residuals. During the acute phase of an active infection, 100% ratings are common. After recovery, the residual functional impairment to specific organ systems — liver damage from hepatitis, neurological damage from Lyme disease, cardiac effects from rheumatic fever — determines the continuing rating. Chronic immune disorders like lupus and HIV are rated based on the severity of symptoms and systems affected.
Can I get service connection for a disease acquired during deployment?
Yes. The VA recognizes presumptive service connection for many tropical diseases and infectious conditions for veterans who served in endemic regions. Malaria, leishmaniasis, dengue, Q fever, and other documented deployment-acquired conditions have established service connection pathways. VA regulations (38 CFR § 3.307 and § 3.309) provide specific presumptive service connection rules for hazardous exposures and tropical diseases acquired during qualifying deployments.
What evidence does VA need for a Relapsing fever claim?
For deployment-acquired infectious diseases: (1) deployment records to endemic areas, (2) current diagnosis from a specialist, (3) medical nexus — either presumptive based on deployment or through a physician's nexus letter. For chronic immune disorders with no clear deployment nexus: (1) specialist diagnosis, (2) service treatment records showing in-service onset or exposure, (3) nexus letter. Serology, culture results, and specialist notes are all important supporting evidence.
Can Relapsing fever be connected to contaminated water exposure?
Yes. Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, were exposed to contaminated water in deployed environments, or were exposed to toxic industrial chemicals are eligible for VA benefits if they develop qualifying conditions. Camp Lejeune exposure in particular has specific presumptive service connection for numerous immune and organ-system conditions. Veterans should check VA's Camp Lejeune eligibility list and consult a VSO for evaluation of their specific service history.