How VA Rates Lyme Disease

The VA rates Lyme disease based on its residual effects — not the infection itself — assigning disability ratings under the diagnostic codes that best match each affected body system. Lyme disease is not on the VA's presumptive list, which means you must prove that a tick bite occurred during military service and that your current condition is connected to that exposure. The ICD-10 codes for Lyme disease range from A69.20 (Lyme disease, unspecified) through A69.29 (other conditions associated with Lyme disease).

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Tick exposure is especially common at military installations in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest — including Fort Drum (New York), Camp Lejeune (North Carolina), Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Washington), and numerous woodland training areas.

Proving Service Connection for Lyme Disease

Because Lyme disease is not a VA presumptive condition, you must establish three things to win service connection:

  1. Current diagnosis — a confirmed Lyme disease diagnosis (typically via a positive two-tier serology test: ELISA followed by Western blot) or a diagnosis of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
  2. In-service event — evidence that you were exposed to ticks during military service. This can include training locations in endemic areas, buddy statements from fellow service members, duty records placing you in wooded terrain, or a documented tick bite in your service treatment records.
  3. Medical nexus — a physician opinion linking your current symptoms to the in-service tick exposure. A private IMO from an infectious disease or rheumatology specialist is often necessary.

Buddy Statements for In-Service Tick Exposure

Buddy statements (VA Form 21-10210) are especially valuable for Lyme disease claims because tick bites often go unreported in service treatment records. A fellow soldier, Marine, or sailor who trained alongside you in endemic terrain can testify that you were exposed to wooded, tick-infested environments. Platoon leaders, squad leaders, or training NCOs are credible sources for these statements.

VA Ratings by Body System Affected

Lyme disease can damage multiple body systems. VA rates each affected system separately under the diagnostic code that best matches the specific residual condition.

Musculoskeletal Residuals

Lyme arthritis — joint pain and swelling, most often in the knees — is the most common musculoskeletal residual. VA rates it under:

Neurological Residuals

Lyme neuroborreliosis can cause facial palsy, meningitis, encephalopathy, and peripheral neuropathy. VA rates each neurological manifestation separately:

Cardiac Residuals

Lyme carditis can cause heart block, arrhythmias, and myocarditis. VA rates cardiac residuals under:

Chronic Lyme Disease vs. Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)

VA distinguishes between active Lyme disease and PTLDS, which describes persistent symptoms — fatigue, pain, cognitive difficulty — that continue for six months or more after completing antibiotic treatment. The medical community debates the cause of PTLDS, but VA can still rate PTLDS symptoms under relevant diagnostic codes if you have a confirmed diagnosis and a nexus to service.

Do not let VA dismiss your claim by labeling your condition "chronic Lyme disease" without an ICD-10 code. Push for a specific diagnosis (PTLDS, Lyme arthritis, or Lyme neuropathy) that ties to a ratable diagnostic code.

Serology Evidence: Western Blot and ELISA Testing

The CDC's two-tier Lyme testing protocol — ELISA first, then Western blot confirmation — is the gold standard VA accepts. A positive two-tier result in your claims file is powerful evidence. Include all lab reports, including any prior negative tests, in your claim file. A single negative test does not disprove Lyme disease, especially if it was taken too early in the course of infection.

If your serology is negative but your clinical presentation is consistent with Lyme disease, a nexus letter from an infectious disease physician explaining why seronegative Lyme is possible in your case can still support a rating.

Special Monthly Compensation Potential

Veterans with severe Lyme disease residuals — such as complete facial paralysis, loss of use of a limb, or a pacemaker for Lyme-related heart block — may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) in addition to their regular disability rating. SMC-K ($128.89/month in 2026) applies to specific anatomical losses or loss of use. Higher SMC tiers apply for more severe functional losses.

Key Takeaways

Use the VA Disability Rating Calculator to estimate your combined rating across multiple Lyme residuals. Visit the main VA Disability hub for more condition guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lyme disease a VA presumptive condition?

No. Lyme disease does not appear on the VA's list of presumptive conditions. You must prove a direct service connection by showing that you were exposed to ticks during military service and that your current Lyme-related condition results from that exposure.

What percentage does VA assign for Lyme disease?

VA does not assign a single rating for Lyme disease itself. Instead, it rates each affected body system separately. A veteran with Lyme arthritis in both knees plus neuropathy in both legs plus a cardiac arrhythmia could have three or more separate ratings that combine to a significant total disability percentage.

Which military bases have high tick exposure risk?

Bases in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic carry the highest risk: Fort Drum (NY), Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (NJ), Camp Lejeune (NC), Fort Belvoir (VA), and Picatinny Arsenal (NJ). Upper Midwest bases such as Fort McCoy (WI) also have significant tick populations. Field training exercises, land navigation, and perimeter security duty in wooded terrain all increase exposure.

Can I get rated for Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)?

Yes, if you have a confirmed PTLDS diagnosis and can establish a service nexus. VA rates PTLDS symptoms under the diagnostic codes that best match your residual conditions — for example, fatigue under DC 6354 (chronic fatigue syndrome) or cognitive symptoms under applicable mental health codes.

What lab evidence does VA want for a Lyme disease claim?

VA looks for the CDC's two-tier testing result: a positive ELISA screen followed by a confirmatory Western blot. Include all lab reports in your claim file. If testing is negative but clinical evidence is strong, a nexus letter from an infectious disease specialist explaining the clinical picture is essential.

Can I get SMC for Lyme disease complications?

Yes, if Lyme disease causes a qualifying loss of function — such as complete facial paralysis, pacemaker implantation for heart block, or loss of use of a limb from neurological damage. SMC-K pays $128.89 per month in 2026 for specific losses. Higher SMC tiers apply for more significant functional losses.