Dermatophytosis (Fungal Skin Infections)
Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection that causes ring-shaped red and swollen patches on the skin. Depending on the body location, it has different names: head (tinea corporis), chin/beard area (tinea barbae), shoulder and back (tinea versicolor), body (ringworm), nails (onychomycosis), groin (jock itch/tinea cruris), and feet (athlete's foot/tinea pedis). It is rated under Diagnostic Code 7813 using the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
VA Rating Levels
Topical medications used at least once over a 12-month period, or lesions cover less than 5% of the total body, or less than 5% of exposed areas.
Lesions cover 5 to 19% of the total body or 5 to 19% of exposed areas, or systemic therapy was needed for less than 6 weeks total over a 12-month period.
Lesions cover 20 to 40% of the total body or 20 to 40% of exposed areas, or systemic therapy was needed for 6 weeks or more total over a 12-month period.
Lesions cover more than 40% of the total body or more than 40% of exposed areas, or constant or near-constant systemic therapy was needed over a 12-month period.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →Fungal skin infections are very common among veterans, especially on the feet (athlete's foot) from wearing military boots for extended periods.
- →If you need oral antifungal medication (e.g., terbinafine, fluconazole), that counts as systemic therapy. Topical creams alone do not.
- →Chronic fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) often require prolonged oral antifungal courses, which can support a higher rating.
- →Document all locations and recurrences of the fungal infection to show the overall extent of the condition.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR $ 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7813