---
title: "DC 7820 - Infections of the skin not listed elsewhere (including bacterial, fungal, viral, treponemal, and parasitic diseases)."
diagnostic_code: "7820"
body_system: "Skin"
cfr_section: "§ 4.118"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/skin/7820-infections-of-the-skin-not-listed-elsewhere-including"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.118"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:18:18.248988Z"
---

# DC 7820 - Infections of the skin not listed elsewhere (including bacterial, fungal, viral, treponemal, and parasitic diseases).

Rated under § 4.118. Body system: Skin.

Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for the Skin

General Rating Formula For The Skin

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 60% | At least one of the following |
| 60% | Constant or near-constant systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period |
| 30% | At least one of the following |
| 10% | At least one of the following |
| 0% | No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following |

# Skin Infections (VA Diagnostic Code 7820)

## Understanding Skin Infections and How the VA Rates Them

**Diagnostic Code 7820** covers **infections of the skin not listed elsewhere**, including bacterial, fungal, viral, treponemal, and parasitic diseases. These conditions fall under the **Skin** body system and are addressed in **38 CFR § 4.118**.

### What This Condition Involves

Skin infections in this category are caused by a range of organisms — bacteria, fungi, viruses, treponemes, and parasites — that are not specifically listed under another diagnostic code. Because these infections vary widely, the VA evaluates them using a standardized approach rather than a single fixed description.

### How the VA Evaluates This Condition

Skin infections under Diagnostic Code 7820 are rated under the **General Rating Formula for the Skin**. This means the VA looks at the overall impact of the condition and the type of treatment required, rather than focusing only on the specific organism involved.

### Available Rating Levels

The following rating levels are recognized for this condition:

| Rating | What the VA Looks For |
|--------|------------------------|
| **60%** | At least one of the applicable criteria — including **constant or near-constant systemic therapy** such as corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period. |
| **30%** | At least one of the applicable criteria under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. |
| **10%** | At least one of the applicable criteria under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. |
| **0%** | **No more than topical therapy** required over the past 12-month period, and at least one of the applicable criteria. |

### Key Factors the VA Considers

- **The type of treatment required** over the past 12-month period — for example, whether systemic therapy (like corticosteroids, biologics, or immunosuppressive drugs) is needed, or whether the condition is managed with topical therapy alone.
- **How frequently treatment is needed**, such as constant or near-constant systemic therapy.

Because this condition is evaluated under the **General Rating Formula for the Skin**, the level of treatment and the extent of the condition guide where a claim falls on the rating scale.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.118