Diagnostic Code 7825 · 38 CFR §4.118
Chronic urticaria (hives) is a condition where raised, itchy welts repeatedly appear on your skin. The welts can vary in size and location and typically last less than 24 hours before fading, only to reappear. When episodes recur for six weeks or more, it is considered chronic. Many veterans develop chronic hives from chemical exposures, medications, stress, or immune system changes related to military service. The VA rates chronic urticaria based on how often episodes occur and how you respond to treatment.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | You have recurring episodes of hives that respond to treatment with antihistamines or similar medications. Episodes may happen several times a month but are manageable with over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines. |
| 30% | You experience recurrent debilitating episodes of hives that occur at least four times in the past 12 months and require intermittent systemic immunosuppressive therapy. These episodes significantly disrupt your daily activities. |
| 60% | You experience recurrent debilitating episodes occurring four or more times in the past year despite continuous immunosuppressive therapy. At this level, the hives are largely uncontrolled even with aggressive medication. |
Document every significant episode of hives — date, duration, extent, and treatment. Photographs taken during outbreaks are very helpful. Pharmacy records showing antihistamine and immunosuppressive medication use demonstrate treatment intensity. Allergy and immunology specialist records carry more weight than general practice notes.
No. Chronic idiopathic urticaria — hives with no identifiable cause — is still ratable. The VA rates based on the condition itself, not whether the trigger has been identified.
Yes. If you require daily antihistamines to control your hives, that demonstrates the condition is chronic and requires ongoing treatment, which supports at minimum a 10 percent rating.
This includes medications like cyclosporine, omalizumab, systemic corticosteroids, and other drugs that suppress the immune system. Regular antihistamines alone do not qualify as immunosuppressive therapy for rating purposes.