Special rating instructions

• Note 1: Continue the rating of 100 percent for the duration of treatment for active disease followed by a mandatory VA exam. If there is no relapse, rate on residuals. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. Note 2: Confirm the recurrence of active infection by culture, histopathology, or other diagnostic laboratory testing. Note 3: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection which includes, but is not limited to, skin conditions and conditions of the respiratory, central nervous, musculoskeletal, ocular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems and those residuals listed in § 4.88c.
• Note 1: Continue the rating of 100 percent for the duration of treatment for active disease followed by a mandatory VA exam. If there is no relapse, rate on residuals. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. Note 2: Confirm the recurrence of active infection by culture, histopathology, or other diagnostic laboratory testing. Note 3: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection which includes, but is not limited to, skin conditions and conditions of the respiratory, central nervous, musculoskeletal, ocular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems and those residuals listed in § 4.88c.
• Thereafter: Rate residuals under the specific body system or systems affected.
• Following the total rating for the 1 year period after date of inactivity, the schedular evaluation for residuals of nonpulmonary tuberculosis, i.e. , ankylosis, surgical removal of a part, etc., will be assigned under the appropriate diagnostic code for the residual preceded by the diagnostic code for tuberculosis of the body part affected. For example, tuberculosis of the hip joint with residual ankylosis would be coded 5001-5250. Where there are existing residuals of pulmonary and nonpulmonary conditions, the evaluations for residual separate functional impairment may be combined.
• Where there are existing pulmonary and nonpulmonary conditions, the total rating for the 1 year, after attainment of inactivity, may not be applied to both conditions during the same period. However, the total rating during the 1-year period for the pulmonary or for the nonpulmonary condition will be utilized, combined with evaluation for residuals of the condition not covered by the 1-year total evaluation, so as to allow any additional benefit provided during such period.
• Following the total rating for the 2-year period after date of inactivity, the schedular evaluation for residuals of nonpulmonary tuberculosis, i.e. , ankylosis, surgical removal of a part, etc., if in excess of 50 percent or 30 percent will be assigned under the appropriate diagnostic code for the specific residual preceded by the diagnostic code for tuberculosis of the body part affected. For example, tuberculosis of the hipjoint with residual ankylosis would be coded 5001-5250.
• The graduated ratings for nonpulmonary tuberculosis will not be combined with residuals of nonpulmonary tuberculosis unless the graduated rating and the rating for residual disability cover separate functional losses, e.g., graduated ratings for tuberculosis of the kidney and residuals of tuberculosis of the spine. Where there are existing pulmonary and nonpulmonary conditions, the graduated evaluation for the pulmonary, or for the nonpulmonary, condition will be utilized, combined with evaluations for residuals of the condition not covered by the graduated evaluation utilized, so as to provide the higher evaluation over such period.
• The ending dates of all graduated ratings of nonpulmonary tuberculosis will be controlled by the date of attainment of inactivity.
• These ratings are applicable only to veterans with nonpulmonary tuberculosis active on or after October 10, 1949.

Regulatory notes

• Note 1: Continue the rating of 100 percent for the duration of treatment for active disease followed by a mandatory VA exam. If there is no relapse, rate on residuals. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter.
• Note 2: Confirm the recurrence of active infection by culture, histopathology, or other diagnostic laboratory testing.
• Note 3: Rate under the appropriate body system any residual disability of infection which includes, but is not limited to, skin conditions and conditions of the respiratory, central nervous, musculoskeletal, ocular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems and those residuals listed in § 4.88c.

Body system and anatomy metadata

Body system: Infectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies

Anatomy / region tags: systemic non localized

These tags support discovery and body-map compatibility. They do not establish Veteran-specific laterality or entitlement.

Official VA DBQ references

DBQ catalog: va-dbq-2026.09.16 · Retrieved 2026-09-16. Official VA inventory ↗

• HIV-Related Illnesses ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Infectious Diseases

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Infectious Diseases (other than HIV-related illness chronic fatigue syndrome and tuberculosis) ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Infectious Diseases

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Persian Gulf/Afghanistan Infectious Diseases ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Infectious Diseases

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Tuberculosis ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Infectious Diseases

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

• Nutritional Deficiencies ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Nutrition

  Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.

VA maintains some examination forms that are not available for public use. VMC does not infer a one-code-to-one-DBQ relationship.

Evidence information

When reviewing the criteria, useful evidence categories can include diagnosis and treatment records, objective testing identified by the schedule, documented frequency/duration/severity when the criteria use those concepts, and functional effects described in medical or lay evidence. The relevant evidence depends on the actual claim and medical facts.

VMC does not diagnose conditions, guarantee a percentage, or advise anyone to exaggerate symptoms.