Can you get a shingles VA disability rating? Yes!
If you’ve ever had chicken pox, you’re at risk of developing shingles at some point in your lifetime. The uncomfortable condition is mainly seen in people ages 50 and older but can affect anyone infected by the virus.
In this post, I’m covering everything you need to know to get a shingles VA disability rating to bring you closer to the VA compensation and benefits you deserve.
Let’s jump to it.
Table of Contents
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Summary of Key Points
- There is no specific VA diagnostic code for shingles, and it is generally rated under the General Rating of the Skin.
- VA ratings for shingles generally range from 0% to 60%, with breaks at 10% and 30%.
- Shingles can lead to secondary conditions, including eye problems, bacterial infections, and pneumonia.
What Causes Shingles?
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. If you’ve had chicken pox, the virus stays inactive in your cells and can become active again later in life, leading to shingles.
You are at greater risk of developing shingles if you:
- Are age 50 or older
- Have an illness that weakens your immune system
- Have cancer, particularly lymphoma or Hodgkin disease
- Take medications that weaken your immune system
- Are 19 years or older and have or will have a weakened immune system due to therapy or disease that could lead to immunosuppression
Note: If you’ve never had chicken pox, you can get the virus from someone with shingles, but you would develop chicken pox, not shingles.
Shingles VA Disability Ratings
The VA has no specific diagnostic code (DC) for shingles, and instead the VA rates it using a similar DC.
For example, shingles is frequently rated under the General Rating Formula of the Skin, with ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60%.
Your VA disability rating for shingles will depend on how much of your body is affected by shingles and how frequently you require treatment.
See Related: VA Disability for Skin Conditions [Ultimate Guide]
Shingles VA Rating Chart
| General Rating Formula of the Skin | VA Rating |
| Characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Constant or near-constant systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period | 60% |
| Characteristic lesions involving 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12-month period | 30% |
| Characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected; or At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected; or Intermittent systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over the past 12-month period | 10% |
| No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of the entire body affected; or Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability. This rating instruction does not apply to DC 7824 | 0% |
Proving a Service-Connection for Shingles
While the causes of shingles can be hard to determine, you still must prove a service-connection.
To prove your service-connected disability, you must provide:
- A current medical diagnosis of shingles
- An in-service event, injury, or illness that caused or aggravated your disability
- A medical link (nexus) between your shingles and the incident
Remember, you must have a current medical diagnosis of shingles before filing a VA claim for disability.
SEE MORE: 3 Things the VA Needs to Prove Your Service-Connected Disability
Filing a VA Claim for Shingles
Once you have your medical diagnosis of shingles, you’re on your way to filing a VA disability claim.
Here’s a look at the ways to file a VA claim for shingles:
- Mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
- Fax:
If you’re in the U.S., fax your application to 844-531-7818.
If you’re outside the U.S., fax your application to 248-524-4260.
- In person at your closest VA regional office
Generally, the fastest method to filing a VA claim is online, but it’s always nice to have extra options! You can also check the status of your VA claim online.
VA Secondary Conditions to Shingles
Generally, shingles goes away without any lasting symptoms; however, it can lead to secondary conditions in some cases. It’s important to treat shingles immediately to avoid potential complications.
Examples of secondary conditions to shingles includes:
- Pneumonia (if the virus spreads to your lungs)
- Inflammation of the brain (if the virus spreads to your central nervous system)
- Bacterial infection
- Eye problems
In addition, research shows there is a link between skin conditions and negative emotions, including depression and anxiety.
You can check out our guide, What are VA Secondary Conditions? for more information.
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
How does the VA rate shingles?
Generally, the VA rates shingles under 38 CFR 4.118, with the Diagnostic Codes 7800-7833 with ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60%.
Is shingles a presumptive condition?
No, shingles isn’t considered a presumptive condition. You can check out our complete list of VA presumptive conditions for a detailed look at conditions that qualify.
Can you receive VA disability for shingles?
Yes! The VA recognizes shingles as a skin condition and, if eligible, you may receive VA disability compensation. You may be eligible for a higher VA disability rating if you develop secondary conditions because of your shingles.
NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?
Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting their due compensation. At VA Claims Insider, we guide you and take control of the claims process so you may get the rating and compensation you’re owed by law. If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating—or you’re unsure how to get started—reach out to us!
Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you in building a fully developed claim (FDC)—so you may increase your rating FAST! Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. Learn what you’ve been missing—so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE!
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
