EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Psoriasis VA Disability Rating
DC 7816 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.118 | M21-1, Part IV.ii.10
OVERVIEW
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition causing red, scaly patches. Rated under DC 7816 based on body surface area affected and treatment required. Common triggers in veterans include stress, skin trauma (Koebner phenomenon from field injuries), and environmental exposure. Like eczema, the rating hinges on whether systemic therapy (biologics, methotrexate, oral steroids) versus topical therapy is required.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
60% — More than 40% of entire body or exposed areas, or near-constant systemic therapy
Psoriasis affecting more than 40% of the entire body OR more than 40% of exposed areas affected; OR constant or near-constant systemic therapy (corticosteroids, immunosuppressives, biologics) required. Rate under DC 7816.
30% — 20-40% of body, or systemic therapy required 6+ weeks/year
20-40% of the entire body or 20-40% of exposed areas affected; OR systemic therapy required for a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12-month period (but not constantly).
10% — 5-20% of body, or intermittent systemic therapy less than 6 weeks/year
At least 5% but less than 20% of the entire body OR 10-20% of exposed areas affected; OR intermittent systemic therapy required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period.
0% — Less than 5% of body, topical therapy only
Less than 5% of the entire body or less than 10% of exposed areas affected, AND no more than topical therapy required.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Dermatology records documenting diagnosis and body surface area percentage
-Photographs of affected areas during flare-ups (date-stamped)
-Medication records including biologics, methotrexate, cyclosporine, or oral steroids
-Documentation of flare-up triggers related to service (stress, environmental exposure)
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (2 MAPPED)
DC 5002
Up to 30% of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis. Separately rated as inflammatory arthritis.
DC 9434/9413
Visible skin disease causes social isolation, embarrassment, and psychological distress.
C&P EXAM TIPS (4)
1.Schedule your C&P exam during a flare-up if possible. The examiner rates based on what they observe AND your documented history.
2.Systemic therapy (biologics like Humira, Enbrel; methotrexate; oral steroids) is the key to higher ratings. Topical steroids do NOT count as systemic therapy per Johnson v. Shulkin.
3.If you have joint pain with your psoriasis, get evaluated for psoriatic arthritis -- it is separately ratable.
4.Photograph every flare-up with date stamps.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
38 C.F.R. § 4.118, DC 7816 (Psoriasis); General Rating Formula for the Skin
Psoriasis rates under DC 7816 using the General Rating Formula for Skin Conditions. Rate complications (psoriatic arthritis, nail involvement, oral mucosa involvement) separately under appropriate diagnostic codes. Systemic biologics (adalimumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab) qualify as systemic therapy — document the medication and frequency.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Psoriasis at 30% (systemic therapy) pays $552.47/mo. If psoriatic arthritis develops, it is rated separately as inflammatory arthritis (20-100%), potentially doubling compensation.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026