VA Diagnostic Code 7825Chronic urticaria:
Rated from 10% to 60% under § 4.118. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 60%
Chronic refractory urticaria that requires third line treatment for control (e.g., plasmapheresis, immunotherapy, immunosuppressives) due to ineffectiveness with first and second line treatments
- 30%
Chronic urticaria that requires second line treatment (e.g., corticosteroids, sympathomimetics, leukotriene inhibitors, neutrophil inhibitors, thyroid hormone) for control
- 10%
Chronic urticaria that requires first line treatment (antihistamines) for control
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- For the purposes of this diagnostic code, chronic urticaria is defined as continuous urticaria at least twice per week, off treatment, for a period of six weeks or more
Chronic Urticaria (VA Diagnostic Code 7825)
Skin conditions · 38 CFR § 4.118
Understanding Chronic Urticaria
Chronic urticaria — commonly known as hives — is a persistent skin condition. For VA rating purposes under Diagnostic Code 7825, chronic urticaria is specifically defined as continuous urticaria occurring at least twice per week, off treatment, for a period of six weeks or more.
The VA rates this condition based on the level of treatment required to control it, ranging from first line therapy up through advanced, refractory care.
Available Rating Levels
The rating schedule for chronic urticaria includes the following levels:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 60% | Chronic refractory urticaria that requires third line treatment for control (e.g., plasmapheresis, immunotherapy, immunosuppressives) due to ineffectiveness with first and second line treatments |
| 30% | Chronic urticaria that requires second line treatment (e.g., corticosteroids, sympathomimetics, leukotriene inhibitors, neutrophil inhibitors, thyroid hormone) for control |
| 10% | Chronic urticaria that requires first line treatment (antihistamines) for control |
What the VA Looks For
When rating chronic urticaria, the VA focuses on:
- Whether the condition meets the definition of "chronic" — continuous urticaria at least twice per week, off treatment, for six weeks or more.
- The type of treatment needed to control the condition:
- First line treatment — antihistamines.
- Second line treatment — corticosteroids, sympathomimetics, leukotriene inhibitors, neutrophil inhibitors, or thyroid hormone.
- Third line treatment — plasmapheresis, immunotherapy, or immunosuppressives, used when first and second line treatments have been ineffective (refractory urticaria).
The higher levels of treatment generally correspond to the higher rating levels in the schedule above.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.118, diagnostic code 7825. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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