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If you’re dealing with chronic toenail fungus that started during or after military service, you may qualify for VA disability compensation. The condition — medically known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium — is a fungal infection that affects the nails and can lead to thickened, brittle, discolored, or painful toenails.
Many veterans may develop fungal infections due to common military conditions such as prolonged boot wear, damp environments, communal showers, and extended deployments in humid climates.
The good news is that the VA does recognize fungal nail infections as potentially service-connected disabilities. Understanding how the onychomycosis VA rating works can help you determine whether you may qualify for benefits.
Summary of Key Points
- Onychomycosis is rated under diagnostic code 7813 as a form of dermatophytosis (fungal infection of the skin or nails).
- The VA evaluates it using the General Rating Formula for the Skin, with ratings from 0% to 60% depending on body coverage and treatment required.
- Many claims typically receive 0% or 10% ratings, but higher ratings may apply if the condition requires systemic medication or affects larger body areas.
- Bilateral onychomycosis (both feet) may still receive a single skin rating but could be evaluated alongside other foot or skin conditions.
Table of Contents
What Is the VA Disability Rating for Onychomycosis?
The onychomycosis VA rating ranges from 0% to 60%, depending on the percentage of body area affected and the type of treatment required.
The VA evaluates onychomycosis under diagnostic code (DC) 7813 for dermatophytosis, which includes fungal infections affecting the skin, scalp, feet, and nails. The official rating criteria are published in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities under 38 CFR §4.118.
Rather than assigning a separate rating scale specifically for nail fungus, the VA uses the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
VA Skin Rating Criteria Chart
| VA Rating | Criteria |
| 0% | Less than 5% of the body or exposed areas affected and requiring no more than topical therapy over the past 12 months |
| 10% | At least 5% but less than 20% of the body or exposed areas affected OR intermittent systemic therapy required for less than 6 weeks over the past 12 months |
| 30% | 20–40% of the body or exposed areas affected OR systemic therapy required for 6 weeks or more but not constantly over the past 12 months |
| 60% | More than 40% of the body or exposed areas affected OR constant or near-constant systemic therapy required over the past 12 months |
Because nail fungus usually affects a small area of the body, many veterans may receive 0% service connection or a 10% disability rating unless the infection requires more aggressive treatment.
Onychomycosis and Veterans
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that affects fingernails or toenails, most commonly the toenails. It occurs when dermatophyte fungi infect the nail bed and surrounding tissue.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nail fungus can cause nails to become:
- Thickened
- Brittle or crumbly
- Yellow, white, or brown in color
- Separated from the nail bed
- Painful when pressure is applied
Dermatology research shows that onychomycosis accounts for roughly half of all nail disorders, making it one of the most common nail conditions worldwide.
In some veterans’ cases, the infection begins as athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) before spreading to the toenails. If you’re dealing with both conditions, see our post on tinea pedis VA disability ratings to learn how the VA evaluates athlete’s foot.
Dermatophytosis, Onychomycosis VA Rating Explained
The VA groups several fungal infections together under the medical classification dermatophytosis.
These conditions include:
- Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
- Tinea corporis (ringworm of the body)
- Tinea cruris (jock itch)
- Tinea unguium (onychomycosis)
All of these fall under DC 7813, meaning they are evaluated using the same skin rating criteria outlined in 38 CFR §4.118.
Because these fungal infections are medically related, veterans may experience multiple dermatophytosis conditions at the same time.
For example, a veteran may have:
- Athlete’s foot affecting both feet
- Fungal nail infections on several toes
- Ringworm patches on other areas of the skin
Depending on the circumstances, the VA may evaluate these infections together or separately when determining the final disability rating.
Bilateral Onychomycosis VA Rating (Both Feet)
A common question veterans ask is whether having fungal nail infections on both feet results in a higher disability rating.
In most cases, the bilateral feet onychomycosis VA rating is still evaluated as one skin condition. The VA generally does not assign separate ratings for each infected nail or each foot.
Instead, the rating depends on:
- Total body surface area affected
- Severity of symptoms
- Type of treatment required
However, complications can sometimes lead to additional ratings. For example:
- Repeated nail removal procedures
- Chronic pain affecting walking
- Infections spreading beyond the nails
In these situations, other foot or skin conditions may qualify for separate disability ratings under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
How to Service Connect Toenail Fungus
To receive a VA disability rating for onychomycosis, you must establish service connection.
Direct, or primary, service connection requires three key elements:
- Current diagnosis: A medical provider must diagnose onychomycosis or dermatophytosis of the nails.
- An in-service event, exposure, illness, or aggravation: For example, documented athlete’s foot during military service, chronic foot infections from prolonged boot wear, service in humid or tropical climates, or frequent use of communal showers or locker rooms.
- A nexus (medical link) between the two: You’ll need a medical opinion (such as a nexus letter) connecting your current nail fungus to your military service or to another service-connected condition.
Secondary Service Connection
In many cases, onychomycosis may develop secondary to chronic athlete’s foot, which is medically recognized as a common source of nail infections.
To prove secondary service connection, you must have a current diagnosis of onychomycosis and a medical opinion linking it to another service-connected condition.
Pro Tip: A nexus letter is highly recommended as a way to strengthen your secondary service connection claim.
How to Strengthen Your Onychomycosis VA Claim
If you’re filing or appealing a claim, consider these strategies to improve your chances of approval.
Document Your Symptoms
Keep records of pain or difficulty walking, thickened or damaged nails, and recurrent infections.
Keep Treatment Records
Helpful medical evidence may include prescription antifungal medications, podiatry visits, and nail debridement or surgical procedures.
Show the Service Connection
Examples include medical records documenting athlete’s foot during service, evidence of prolonged exposure to moisture during deployments, and medical opinions linking your current condition to military service.
Conclusion
Although toenail fungus may seem like a minor issue, onychomycosis can cause long-term discomfort, mobility problems, and recurring treatment needs, especially when it has persisted for years.
For veterans, the onychomycosis VA rating depends primarily on:
- The severity of the infection
- How much of the body it affects
- What treatments are required
Even if your condition qualifies only for 0% service connection, that recognition can still be valuable. A 0% rating establishes the condition as service connected and may allow you to seek increased compensation later if the condition worsens.
Understanding how the VA evaluates fungal infections is the first step toward securing the benefits you’ve earned through your service.
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FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical onychomycosis VA rating?
Veterans usually receive 0% or 10% ratings because nail fungus typically affects a small portion of the body. Higher ratings may apply if the condition requires systemic antifungal medication or affects larger body areas under the VA’s skin rating criteria.
Can you get a bilateral onychomycosis VA rating?
Yes, but the VA usually assigns one overall skin rating rather than separate ratings for each foot. The rating is based on severity, body coverage, and treatment requirements.
What diagnostic code does the VA use for onychomycosis?
The VA evaluates the condition under Diagnostic Code 7813 for dermatophytosis, which includes tinea unguium (onychomycosis) in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
Is onychomycosis the same as dermatophytosis of the nails?
Yes. Onychomycosis, tinea unguium, and dermatophytosis of the nails are all medical terms for the same fungal nail infection.
Can onychomycosis be secondary to athlete’s foot?
Yes. Nail fungus commonly develops from untreated athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), which can spread from the skin to the nails over time. To prove secondary service connection, you must have a current onychomycosis diagnosis and a medical link to another service-connected condition.
About the Author
Katie McCarthy
Katie McCarthy is a writer and editor with experience in daily news and digital and print magazine publishing. She honed her editorial (and firearms) skills at Guns & Ammo before helping launch Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine as the managing editor. She holds degrees in English (BA) and public administration (MPA). Katie is a military spouse and word nerd who enjoys reading, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.
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