EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Malignant Melanoma VA Disability Rating
DC 7833 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.118 | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2.H
OVERVIEW
Malignant melanoma is rated under DC 7833 at 38 C.F.R. § 4.118. Rating is based on residuals (scarring under DC 7800-7805) or 100% if treatment requires systemic chemotherapy, radiation beyond the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision. If treatment is confined to the skin only, the 100% provision does not apply.
RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)
100% — Requiring systemic or extensive treatment
Treatment requires systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision. 100% from onset of treatment. Mandatory VA examination 6 months after completion. If no recurrence, rate residuals.
Rate residuals — After treatment or limited disease
If treatment confined to skin (wide local excision only), rate resulting scars under DC 7800-7805. Rate metastatic effects under appropriate body system codes.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Pathology report confirming malignant melanoma with Breslow thickness, Clark level, stage
-Surgical records documenting extent of excision
-Sentinel lymph node biopsy results
-Records of systemic treatment: immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab), targeted therapy, or chemotherapy
-Post-treatment surveillance records
-Scar measurements if residuals present
-Documentation of UV radiation exposure nexus if applicable
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (3 MAPPED)
DC 7800/7801/7804
Melanoma excision leaves residual scarring — rate under appropriate scar codes.
DC 7122
Inguinal or axillary lymph node dissection causes chronic lymphedema.
DC 8520
Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy can cause immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy.
C&P EXAM TIPS (4)
1.Immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, nivolumab) IS systemic therapy — it triggers the 100% evaluation.
2.Wide local excision only (most Stage I-II) does NOT trigger 100% — but always rate residual scarring.
3.If you had sentinel lymph node biopsy or complete lymph node dissection, document extent of surgery.
4.UV radiation exposure during outdoor service or tropical deployments can establish service connection nexus.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
38 C.F.R. § 4.118, DC 7833 Note
If skin malignancy requires therapy comparable to systemic malignancies, 100% evaluation assigned from onset of treatment. Treatment confined to skin does not trigger the 100% provision.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Systemic treatment melanoma: 100% = $3,938.58/mo from treatment onset. Post-treatment residuals from wide local excision: typically 0-10%. Key: whether immunotherapy or systemic chemo was used.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026