HIV is a VA-ratable condition under diagnostic code 6351 in the Infectious Diseases category. Maximum rating: 100%.

Rating Criteria

Rating Criteria
100% AIDS with recurrent opportunistic infections or with secondary diseases afflicting multiple body systems; HIV-related illness with debility and progressive weight loss, without remission, or few or brief remissions
60% Refractory constitutional symptoms, diarrhea, and pathological weight loss, or minimum rating following development of AIDS-related opportunistic infection or neoplasm
30% Recurrent constitutional symptoms, intermittent diarrhea, and on approved medication(s), or minimum rating with T4 cell count less than 200, or Hairy Cell Leukoplakia, or Oral Candidiasis
10% Following development of definite medical symptoms, T4 cell count of 200 or more and target cell count of less than 500, and on approved medication(s)
0% Asymptomatic, following initial diagnosis of HIV infection, with or without lymphadenopathy or decreased T4 cell count

Filing Tips

Pro Tip: The VA won't connect the dots for you. That's your job. Build the paper trail before you file.

Gather medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of this condition.

Document in-service events, injuries, or exposures that caused or aggravated this condition.

Consider a nexus letter from a medical professional linking your condition to service.

Review the rating criteria for DC 6351 to understand what symptoms warrant higher ratings.