A fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails causing itching, scaling, or ring-shaped rashes.
Medical records that document the extent of your lesions are central to this rating. Dermatology or primary care notes that describe what percentage of your total body surface area or exposed areas are affected help establish which threshold you meet at any given time. Photographs taken at medical appointments that show the spread of lesions across your body or exposed areas can also support the documented extent.
Treatment records are equally important. Pharmacy records, prescription histories, or clinical notes showing that you received systemic medications — such as oral antifungals, corticosteroids, retinoids, biologics, or other immunosuppressive drugs — and how long you took them over the past 12 months directly tie to the 60%, 30%, and 10% criteria. Records showing only topical treatments support the 0% level.
If your infection has caused scarring or disfigurement, especially on the head, face, or neck, records and photos documenting those permanent changes are relevant because VA may rate the condition under a different diagnostic code if that better reflects the main disability. Your own statements describing how the infection affects your skin day to day, including how often flares occur and what treatment you needed, can help fill gaps in the medical record.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
