VA Disability Ratings for Scars Diagnostic Codes and Evaluation Criteria

If you’re a veteran dealing with scars from your time in service, understanding the VA rating for scars is essential to ensure you receive the benefits you rightfully deserve. 

Scars can range from minor marks to painful, disfiguring injuries that affect your daily life and overall well-being. The VA evaluates scars by assigning a disability rating that reflects their impact on your health and function.  

This blog post will explain how the VA rates scars, what types of scars may qualify for VA disability, and how to service-connect your condition.

Key Takeaways

• The VA rates scars under diagnostic codes 7800-7805, with ratings ranging from 10% to 80%, depending on the scar’s size, location, pain or instability, and cause of functional impairment or disfigurement.   

• You may qualify for a VA scar rating if your scar is painful, unstable, disfiguring, or limits your range of motion. 

• Scars can be rated as a direct service connection, a secondary service connection, or an aggravated condition. 

Causes of Scars in Veterans

Scars are among the most common service-connected disabilities recognized by the VA. Currently, over 1.1 million veterans have a VA disability rating related to scars. 

Veterans can develop scars from a variety of causes, including: 

• Burn Scars: Exposure to heat, fire, or chemical burns sustained during service. 

• Surgical Scars: Formed after surgeries or medical procedures, often related to injury treatment or other service-related health care. 

• Trauma Scars: Caused by physical injuries such as cuts, abrasions, or wounds incurred in combat or training. 

• Keloid Scars: Raised, thickened scars that occur when the body produces excess collagen during healing, sometimes leading to discomfort or restricted movement. 

Are Scars a VA Disability?

Yes, scars can qualify as a VA disability if they result from service-related injuries or medical treatment.  

The VA evaluates scars based on their severity, symptoms, and impact on function to determine the appropriate disability rating. 

A VA rating for scars is based on two main factors:  

• Scar Condition: Is the scar painful, unstable, or prone to reopening? Does it cause ongoing skin problems? 

• Disfigurement: The VA pays special attention to scars in visible areas like the face, neck, or hands. They evaluate things like tissue loss, changes in skin texture, and the number of features affected. 

8 Characteristics of Disfigurement

The VA considers the following eight characteristics when evaluating disfigurement for VA disability compensation: 

1. Scar Length: The scar is longer than 5 inches. 

2. Scar Width: The scar is at least one-quarter inch wide at its widest point (linear scars). 

3. Surface Contour: The surface contour of the scar elevates or depresses when pressed. 

4. Adhesion to Soft Tissue: The scar adheres to the underlying soft tissue. 

5. Skin Color Changes: Changes in skin color affect an area of 6 square inches or more. 

6. Abnormal Skin Texture: The scar exhibits abnormal texture (irregular, atrophic, shiny, or scaly) over a 6-square-inch area or more. 

7. Soft Tissue Loss: The scar involves missing over 6 square inches of tissue. 

8. Inflexible and Hardened Skin: The skin is rigid and hardened (indurated) over a 6-square-inch area or more. 

VA Diagnostic Codes for Scars

The VA rates scars under various diagnostics, depending on your specific situation. The most common diagnostic codes for scars are: 

• 7800 – Burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck. 

• 7801 – Burn scar(s) or scar(s) due to other causes, not of the head, face, or neck, that are associated with underlying soft tissue damage. 

• 7802 – Burn scar(s) or scar(s) due to other causes, not of the head, face, or neck, that are not associated with underlying soft tissue damage. 

• 7804 – Unstable or painful scars. 

• 7805 – Other scars that limit function. 

VA Rating Criteria for Scars

Note: If one or more scars are both unstable and painful, an additional 10% should be added to the rating assigned based on the total number of unstable or painful scars. 

VA Disability Ratings for Types of Scars

VA Rating for Knee Replacement Scars

If you have a painful or unstable knee replacement scar, it may be rated under diagnostic code 7804. The VA rates unstable or painful scars at 10%, 20%, or 30%, depending on the number of scars. 

• 30% VA Rating: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful 

• 20% VA Rating: Three or four scars that are unstable or painful 

• 10% VA Rating: One or two scars that are unstable or painful 

VA Disability Rating for Surgery Scars

The VA assigns disability ratings for surgery scars based on size, location, pain, and stability.  

Surgery scars can be rated under diagnostic codes 7800-7805, ranging from 10% to 80%.  

Scars on the face, head, or neck, or those causing significant pain or instability, typically warrant higher ratings. 

VA Rating for Scars on Face

Facial scars are generally rated under diagnostic code 7800, and the VA takes disfigurement into account, assigning ratings based on the number of disfigurement characteristics, including tissue loss, distortion, and skin texture changes. 

• 80% VA Rating: With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips), or; with six or more characteristics of disfigurement 

• 50% VA Rating: With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips), or; with four or five characteristics of disfigurement 

• 30% VA Rating: With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips), or; with two or three characteristics of disfigurement 

• 10% VA Rating: With one characteristic of disfigurement 

How to Receive VA Disability for Scars

You can qualify for a VA rating for scars through direct service connection, secondary service connection, or aggravation. 

Direct Service Connection

A direct service connection for scars is an event in the service that directly caused your scar or disfigurement.  

For example, if you suffered burns from an explosion during deployment, resulting in scarring on your arms and chest, that incident would be considered a direct service connection for your scars. 

To qualify for direct service connection, you’ll need the following: 

1. A current diagnosis 

2. An in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness 

3. A medical nexus (link) between the current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness (can be a nexus letter). 

Note: You can apply for VA disability benefits online at VA.gov. 

Secondary Service Connection

Secondary service connection means you have a service-connected condition that caused your current scarring.  

For example, if you developed a severe skin infection because of medication prescribed for a service-connected knee injury, and that infection led to scarring, you could file a secondary claim for the resulting scars. 

Service Connection by Aggravation

If you already had a scar before your service, but a service-connected condition caused it to worsen, you may qualify for additional compensation. 

For example, if you had a small scar on your arm before joining the military and then suffered a severe burn during service that significantly worsened the appearance and severity of that scar, you could file for an aggravated condition claim for the scarring. 

Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Scars

A DBQ for scars is a form your doctor completes to provide detailed information about your scars.  

It includes: 

• Diagnosis and Location: Where the scars are located and their medical diagnosis. 

• Pain and Stability: Whether the scars are painful or prone to reopening. 

• Cause and History: How the scars developed and their connection to your service. 

• Tissue Loss and Depth: Assessment of tissue damage, thickness, and depth, particularly for burn scars. 

• Number and Type: The type and number of scars, including any disfigurement. 

A well-documented DBQ may strengthen your VA claim by clearly outlining how your scars impact your health and daily life. 

Did you know? Telemedica’s team of medical experts specializes in powerful nexus letters and DBQs that may make a critical difference in the strength of your VA claim. 

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

Are scars considered a VA presumptive condition?

No, scars are not considered a presumptive condition by the VA. To receive VA disability compensation for scars, veterans must establish a service connection (whether direct, secondary, or via aggravation). A confirmed diagnosis and medical nexus linking the scar to military service is required. 

What types of scars qualify for VA disability?

Scars from burns, surgery, or traumatic injuries can qualify for a VA rating if they are painful, unstable, disfiguring, or cause functional limitations. 

How does the VA rate facial scars?

The VA rates facial scars based on disfigurement, including tissue loss, asymmetry, and abnormal texture. Depending on severity, ratings range from 10% to 80%.  

Can you get separate ratings for scars?

Yes, if your scars are on different parts of your body, the VA may assign separate ratings and combine them.  

However, only the highest rating is applied if the scars are in the same area. Multiple scars in the same area may be combined based on total surface area. 

Calculate Your Combined VA Disability Rating 

How does the VA rate keloid scars?

The VA rates keloid scars based on any disabling effects not covered under other scar codes. For example, if they cause functional impairment, muscle damage, or other symptoms, the VA may assign a separate rating under diagnostic code 7805. 

Medical Evidence Wins VA Claims

Did you know that a lack of medical evidence is the #1 reason VA disability claims are denied? 

Medical evidence is a crucial piece of the puzzle that VA raters consider when reviewing a disability claim. Telemedica provides solutions for veterans looking to bolster their claims through high-quality medical evidence that wins claims!  

Schedule your FREE 20-minute consultation and learn how to get the supporting medical evidence you need to strengthen your claim.