VASRD 6304 · Infectious Diseases
Malaria VA Disability Rating
Parasitic infection from mosquito bites causing fevers and chills.
VA Rating Tiers
How the VA Evaluates Malaria
The rating is based on relapse history - a past diagnosis without recent relapse supports only the lowest tier, while relapses within the past six months or ongoing relapses lasting more than six months support progressively higher tiers.
Approval outlook
Low – rare unless recent relapse proven.
Veterans service-connected
18,680 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
Veterans service-connected count from the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), as of September 30, 2025. Approval outlook and typical rating are Vetrify editorial estimates — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Service records showing deployment to a malaria-endemic area.
- •Blood smears or treatment notes from the original diagnosis.
- •VA diagnosis records or follow-up labs documenting any relapses.
Strategy Tips
- •File this claim only if you're experiencing relapses or documented organ damage, since a resolved, one-time infection with no ongoing effects generally supports only the lowest rating.
- •Include your geographic deployment history alongside treatment records, since service in a malaria-endemic region combined with a documented diagnosis timeline is what establishes the presumptive connection.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •No relapse history documented, which limits the claim to the lowest rating tier regardless of the original infection's severity.
- •Claiming the condition based on exposure alone, without any actual diagnosed symptoms.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •No medical documentation of a relapse when claiming a higher rating tier.
- •Assuming the presumptive service-connection timeline applies without checking that the diagnosis actually falls within the required window.
Onset Patterns
- •Malaria typically presents as an initial infection during service, with the possibility of later relapses even after apparent treatment, since the parasite can remain dormant in the body.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Malaria. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common questions about Malaria
- Is Malaria a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Malaria under VASRD diagnostic code 6304 (Infectious Diseases). Parasitic infection from mosquito bites causing fevers and chills.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Malaria?
- Possible VA ratings for Malaria are 100%, 30%, 10%. Examples: 100%: Long-term relapses; 30%: Recent flare-up; 10%: Previously had it, no recent symptoms.
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Malaria?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Malaria at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. Per the VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025), 18,680 veterans were receiving VA compensation for Malaria as of September 30, 2025. Estimated approval outlook: Low – rare unless recent relapse proven.
- What evidence helps prove Malaria for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Malaria claim includes: Service records showing deployment to a malaria-endemic area.; Blood smears or treatment notes from the original diagnosis.; VA diagnosis records or follow-up labs documenting any relapses..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Malaria?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Malaria: No medical documentation of a relapse when claiming a higher rating tier.; Assuming the presumptive service-connection timeline applies without checking that the diagnosis actually falls within the required window..
- Is Malaria a presumptive condition for VA benefits?
- Yes, Malaria is recognized as a presumptive condition. Presumed if diagnosed within 1 year of service in endemic zone
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Malaria?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Malaria include: Fatigue, Liver Damage. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.88b — Schedule of ratings — infectious diseases, immune disorders, and nutritional deficiencies (Diagnostic Code 6304)
- VBA Annual Benefits Report (FY2025) — veterans service-connected count, as of September 30, 2025
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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