Veterans may be eligible to receive a VA disability rating for herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if they become infected while enlisted. While the VA may rate STDs under diagnostic codes for infectious diseases, veterans often receive more disability benefits from the ratings of secondary conditions caused by STDs.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
Although some of these conditions can be treated and cured during military service, veterans may have lasting effects that can impact their lives long after service has ended. This article will walk through these conditions, how they are service-connected, and the VA disability rating for herpes and other STDs.
In this article about VA disability for STDs:
Veterans and STDs
According to the Department of Defense’s March 2023 Medical Surveillance Monthly Report, STDs have been steadily increasing among U.S. active-duty service members. Conditions such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV, hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV saw increased rates between 2014 and 2022. This comes as no surprise to experts – military service members are at a higher risk for STDs, as many are under 24 years old and have lifestyle factors – like the stresses of military life and frequent relocations – that increase their risk.
Many veterans may believe they are ineligible for VA ratings for STDs based on how they contracted the infection. However, the VA does not view the residuals of venereal disease as willful misconduct, and they will not investigate the exact event in which you contracted the STD. To receive service connection for an STD, the veteran must prove the initial infection or aggravation of an existing infection happened while enlisted. The VA does not ask veterans to share details of the interaction or sexual event.
This policy, while controversial, is designed to ensure veterans receive the necessary support and services without stigma around how the infection was contracted. The VA also wants to provide support quickly, as some STDs can present serious risks if not treated promptly. Without this policy, many may avoid seeking care, especially those with infections linked to military sexual trauma (MST). MST has been reported by a substantial portion of service members, with 41.5% of female veterans and 4% of male veterans experiencing it during their service.
Some of the STDs veterans receive disability benefits for include:
- Genital herpes
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Hepatitis B
- HIV
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
“If you were injured while serving this country and are reading this review, I encourage you to contact Woods and Woods right away. They are always standing ready to assist veterans in need.”
J.B., a Navy veteran in Virginia
VA ratings for STDs
The VA provides disability ratings for STDs in different ways depending on the infection. The VA may use the schedule of ratings for infectious diseases to rate active STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia. But, for many of these conditions, veterans are more likely to be rated for the secondary conditions their STDs cause.
Herpes VA disability rating
Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus types one (HSV-1) and two (HSV-2), is a common STD – about 11.9% of Americans aged 14 to 49 are infected with HSV-2. The most common symptoms of genital herpes include painful blisters or sores on or around the genitals or rectum, itching or burning around the genital area, and pain during urination.
The VA disability rating for herpes is between 0% and 60% and is determined using diagnostic code 7806 based on how it affects the skin and the severity of outbreaks. This code uses the General Rating Formula for the Skin to determine a rating.
HPV VA disability rating
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. While there are many different types of HPV and nine out of 10 cases will go away on their own, some produce genital warts or can lead to several types of cancer, including cervical, vulvovaginal, anal, penile, testicular, and oropharyngeal cancers.
There is not one diagnostic code to capture a rating for HPV. The VA rates HPV based on the symptoms, which may result in two or more ratings that will be combined.
VA disability rating for hepatitis B
All forms of hepatitis impact the liver, and hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer. The most common symptoms of hepatitis B are yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and extreme fatigue.
The VA uses diagnostic code 7345 for chronic liver disease without cirrhosis, which includes hepatitis B. The rating depends on the severity and frequency of symptoms and ranges from 0% to 100%. Hepatitis leading to cirrhosis may be rated under diagnostic code 7312.
HIV VA disability rating
HIV is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system. Symptoms of an early HIV infection include fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, though many people may not notice any symptoms at all in the initial stages.
The VA rates HIV between 0% and 100% under diagnostic code 6351 for HIV-related illness, focusing on the condition’s impact rather than the presence of the virus itself. If HIV progresses to AIDS with recurrent opportunistic infections or significantly affects multiple body systems, it may be rated at 100%.
VA disability rating for chlamydia and gonorrhea
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common and treatable STDs, but they can lead to severe health conditions if not treated promptly. While many cases of these infections are symptomless, symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea include abnormal genital discharge and a burning sensation when urinating.
The VA is more likely to provide disability benefits for the secondary conditions caused by untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea rather than the STD itself, as they frequently have no symptoms or are effectively treated and cleared.
STDs and secondary conditions
Oftentimes, untreated or severe cases of STDs can lead to other issues, both mental and physical. If you were diagnosed with a service-connected STD that led to a condition like depression, infertility, or even cancer, it’s important to understand how the link between your diagnoses could qualify you for a secondary service connection.
For example, in the long term, STDs like herpes and HIV can have significant psychological and social implications due to stigma. Because of the emotional impact of these infections, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits for depression or anxiety as secondary to an STD.
If service-connected HPV develops into cancer, the VA will assign a rating for cancer.
Additionally, women with untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea are at risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, which may lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancies. In both men and women, untreated gonorrhea can escalate to gonococcal arthritis, which can cause pain in joints and long-term mobility issues.
“From the day we contacted [Woods and Woods], they made us feel so comfortable. They treated us like we mattered and we were not just clients but family.”
TDIU for STDs
Veterans with disabilities that prevent them from maintaining gainful employment may be entitled to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits.
TDIU provides a pathway for veterans to receive the same compensation as a 100% rating, even when their symptoms do not meet the criteria for a schedular 100% rating.
Some veterans may qualify for TDIU with a single STD rating if it is rated at least 60%. Others may be eligible based on their combined rating, taking into account their STD and any secondary conditions.
To be eligible for TDIU, veterans typically must have:
- One service-connected disability rated at least 60% OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities, with one condition rated at least 40% and a combined rating of at least 70%.
How our VA-accredited attorneys can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve VA disability compensation. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Veterans can receive VA disability benefits for herpes contracted during military service. The VA determines a disability rating for herpes based on the severity of the symptoms and how they affect the veteran’s ability to work and perform daily activities. The VA disability rating for herpes is between 0% and 60% and is determined using the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
Veterans can qualify for VA disability benefits for STDs if they can prove the STD was contracted during their military service. While the VA may use the general rating formula for infectious diseases to rate active STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia, veterans are more likely to be rated for secondary conditions that their STDs cause.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
