---
title: "DC 6315 - Pellagra"
diagnostic_code: "6315"
body_system: "Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies"
cfr_section: "§ 4.88b"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/infectious-and-immune/6315-pellagra"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.88b"
updated: "2026-07-21T03:27:56.668436Z"
---

# DC 6315 - Pellagra

Rated under § 4.88b. Body system: Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Marked mental changes, moist dermatitis, inability to retain adequate nourishment, exhaustion, and cachexia |
| 60% | With all of the symptoms listed below, plus mental symptoms and impaired bodily vigor |
| 40% | With stomatitis, diarrhea, and symmetrical dermatitis |
| 20% | With stomatitis, or achlorhydria, or diarrhea |
| 10% | Confirmed diagnosis with nonspecific symptoms such as: decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness, inability to concentrate and irritability |

# Pellagra (VA Diagnostic Code 6315)

**Understanding how the VA rates Pellagra under 38 CFR § 4.88b**

## What Is Pellagra?

Pellagra is a nutritional deficiency condition classified by the VA under the body system for **Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies**. It is rated by the VA using Diagnostic Code **6315**, found in **38 CFR § 4.88b**.

Pellagra can affect several parts of the body at once. Depending on its severity, symptoms may range from nonspecific complaints—such as decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability—to more serious effects involving the skin, digestive system, and mental state.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating for Pellagra based on the severity and combination of symptoms. The available rating levels are:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **100%** | Marked mental changes, moist dermatitis, inability to retain adequate nourishment, exhaustion, and cachexia |
| **60%** | All of the symptoms listed at the 40% level, plus mental symptoms and impaired bodily vigor |
| **40%** | Stomatitis, diarrhea, and symmetrical dermatitis |
| **20%** | Stomatitis, *or* achlorhydria, *or* diarrhea |
| **10%** | Confirmed diagnosis with nonspecific symptoms such as decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness, inability to concentrate, and irritability |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating Pellagra, the VA reviews the specific symptoms you experience and how they combine:

- **A confirmed diagnosis** is the starting point for the lowest (10%) rating, along with nonspecific symptoms like decreased appetite, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness, inability to concentrate, and irritability.
- **The presence of specific digestive and oral symptoms**—stomatitis, achlorhydria, or diarrhea—supports higher ratings, especially as more of these appear together.
- **Skin involvement** such as symmetrical dermatitis or moist dermatitis is considered at the higher rating levels.
- **Mental symptoms and impaired bodily vigor** factor into the 60% level.
- **The most severe presentations**—marked mental changes, moist dermatitis, inability to retain adequate nourishment, exhaustion, and cachexia—are evaluated at the 100% level.

In general, the more severe and wide-ranging your symptoms, the higher the rating level the VA's schedule provides for Pellagra.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.88b