Reference: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813

Sources & Related Guides

What is the VA rating for Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot)?

Evaluated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin based on duration of required systemic vs. topical antifungal medication.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

Evaluated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin based on duration of required systemic vs. topical antifungal medication.

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Explore Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) Criteria & Tools

Start AssessmentAnswer condition-scoped questions using documented findings from your records or exam notes.ContinuePercentage GuideSee the published percentage tiers and what changes between them.ContinueSecondary ConditionsSee conditions commonly connected to this one in VA claims.Continue

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Common Questions & FAQs

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What are you trying to understand about tinea pedis (athlete's foot)?

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Overview

About this condition

Evaluated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin based on duration of required systemic vs. topical antifungal medication.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813

This guide provides regulatory reference criteria under 38 CFR Part 4. RatingScope does not provide medical diagnoses or predict adjudicative outcomes.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

20%

Highest listed pathway

Requires systemic oral antifungal therapy for a total duration of 6 weeks or more in the past 12 months.

What separates the next level: Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813 establishes the 20% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 20% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 20% criteria under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813.
Medical evidence
Skin Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960F-2); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
tinea-pedis; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7813

10%

Next: 20%

Requires topical antifungal therapy for a total duration of 6 weeks or more in the past 12 months.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 20% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813 establishes the 10% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 10% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 10% criteria under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813.
Medical evidence
Skin Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960F-2); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
tinea-pedis; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7813

0%

Next: 10%

Documented infection requiring less than 6 weeks of topical therapy over the past 12 months.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 10% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813 establishes the 0% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 0% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 0% criteria under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7813.
Medical evidence
Skin Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960F-2); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
tinea-pedis; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7813

Learn

Understand the details behind the criteria

Use these short guides to connect published terms with the records and observations that may clarify them.

Superficial fungal infection versus extensive dermatophytosis

Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is evaluated under dermatological criteria based on whether lesions are limited to localized areas or involve widespread skin surfaces requiring systemic antifungals.

  • Mild fungal infections of the foot web spaces or soles are common and typically respond to over-the-counter or topical prescription antifungals.
  • Evaluations reflect whether the condition involves chronic maceration, secondary bacterial infection, or extension beyond the feet.
  • The requirement for oral systemic antifungal therapy (such as terbinafine) documents a persistent infection that resists topical treatment.

Records to review: Primary care or dermatology physical examination notes describing foot skin lesions; Fungal culture or potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation diagnostic results; Pharmacy records confirming prescription topical or oral antifungal medications.

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) DBQ

The DBQ organizes diagnosis and clinical findings for Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot).

A DBQ is useful context, but RatingScope does not require uploads and this hub does not accept records.

Diagnosis and treatment records

Treatment notes can show the current condition, course over time, therapy, and clinician observations.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

VA forms and DBQs (from VA.gov)

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

The public DBQ shows the kinds of findings an examiner may record. A veteran may review it, or may share it with a private clinician, before a C&P exam. RatingScope does not tell any person what to submit.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

How is Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) evaluated?

Evaluated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin based on duration of required systemic vs. topical antifungal medication.

What separates the 20% rating from adjacent levels?

Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

What separates the 10% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 20% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 0% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 10% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Related Conditions

Continue learning through connected topics

Ready when you are

Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) is evaluated under the Skin Conditions assessment

RatingScope compares Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) records using the published criteria in the Skin Conditions assessment. Compare your documented records against the criteria.

Informational guidance only. RatingScope does not predict, decide, or guarantee VA outcomes.

Compare records in the Skin Conditions assessment

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Continue Understanding

External source/reference

38 CFR 4.97, DC 7813

Official regulation source for Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot). Use the official source for current rule text.

Open 38 CFR 4.97, DC 7813

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot)

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) yet.

Educational Guides & Evidence Resources

In-depth analysis of DBQ forms, medical evidence thresholds, and rating schedules for Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot).

VA General Rating Formula for the Skin: 38 CFR 4.118 Guide

Learn how the VA evaluates dermatological disorders using the General Rating Formula for the Skin based on surface area or systemic immunosuppressive medication.

Skin Conditions & Scars C&P Exam: What VA Looks For

Understand how VA examiners evaluate scars, disfigurement, and chronic skin diseases using official Disability Benefits Questionnaires.

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Related Tools

Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.

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VA Math & Combined Ratings

Understand the whole-person method, final rounding, and bilateral limits, then calculate how percentages combine.

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Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

Open Evidence Center