What are the VA rating percentages for Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata (DC 7831) is rated at 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7831. With loss of all body hair

What rates 10% for Alopecia Areata under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7831?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7831 (DC 7831), a 10% rating for Alopecia Areata requires: With loss of all body hair

What rates 0% for Alopecia Areata under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7831?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7831 (DC 7831), a 0% rating for Alopecia Areata requires: With loss of hair limited to scalp and face

What happens during a C&P exam for Alopecia Areata?

Most skin ratings turn on the percentage of body area affected (38 CFR 4.118) - ask the examiner to estimate the percent of your entire body and of exposed areas covered by lesions. Schedule your exam during a flare if you can; the percent affected is measured at the time of the exam, so a clear-skin day can understate your disability.

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Alopecia Areata

Q: What evidence do I need for a Alopecia Areata VA claim?

Key evidence for a Alopecia Areata claim includes: Dermatology records estimating the percent of total body area and exposed area affected; Records of systemic therapy (corticosteroids, biologics, retinoids, phototherapy, immunosuppressants) with start/stop dates over the past 12 months; Unretouched color photographs of the affected skin during a flare; Biopsy or pathology reports confirming the diagnosis, where applicable; Documentation of any painful or unstable scars and their count. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 783138 C.F.R. § 4.118

Diagnostic Code

DC 7831

38 C.F.R. § 4.118

Rating Range

0–10%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.118

Alopecia Areata is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7831 of 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7831 across 2 severity tiers (10% / 0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Autoimmune hair loss causing patchy or complete loss of hair on the scalp and body

Rating Criteria

10%

With loss of all body hair

With loss of hair limited to scalp and face

Key Evidence

—Dermatology records estimating the percent of total body area and exposed area affected

—Records of systemic therapy (corticosteroids, biologics, retinoids, phototherapy, immunosuppressants) with start/stop dates over the past 12 months

—Unretouched color photographs of the affected skin during a flare

—Biopsy or pathology reports confirming the diagnosis, where applicable

—Documentation of any painful or unstable scars and their count

—Complete list of prescribed topical and systemic skin medications

C&P Exam Tips

1Most skin ratings turn on the percentage of body area affected (38 CFR 4.118) - ask the examiner to estimate the percent of your entire body and of exposed areas covered by lesions.

2Schedule your exam during a flare if you can; the percent affected is measured at the time of the exam, so a clear-skin day can understate your disability.

3Systemic therapy is a separate path to a rating - the total weeks of systemic treatment (corticosteroids, biologics, retinoids, phototherapy, immunosuppressants) over the past 12 months drives the level. Treatment administered through the skin is topical, not systemic.

4Document constant or near-constant systemic therapy over the past 12 months - that supports the 60% level for many skin conditions.

5Painful or unstable scars are rated separately by count (38 CFR 4.118, DC 7804) - report each painful or unstable scar.

6Bring unretouched color photographs of your skin at its worst, and report how the condition affects work and daily activity.

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Tools

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Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.118 (Skin). Source verified 2026-06-04 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.118 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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