What rates 10% for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800 (DC 7800), a 10% rating for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck requires: With one characteristic of disfigurement

What secondary conditions are linked to Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck?

Common secondary conditions for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck include Chronic Pain Syndrome, Limited Range of Motion, Depression. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck?

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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Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck?

Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck (DC 7800) is rated at 80%, 50%, 30%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800. 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

Q: What rates 80% for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800 (DC 7800), a 80% rating for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck requires: 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

Q: What rates 50% for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800 (DC 7800), a 50% rating for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck requires: 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

Q: What rates 30% for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800 (DC 7800), a 30% rating for Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck requires: 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

Q: What evidence do I need for a Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck VA claim?

Key evidence for a Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck 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 780038 C.F.R. § 4.118

Diagnostic Code

DC 7800

38 C.F.R. § 4.118

Rating Range

10–80%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.118

Scars, Disfiguring, of Head, Face, or Neck is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7800 of 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7800 across 4 severity tiers (80% / 50% / 30% / 10%). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Chronic Pain Syndrome or Limited Range of Motion under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

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

Overview

Disfiguring scars of the head, face, or neck from any cause, including surgical and traumatic. VA rates these under DC 7800 (38 CFR 4.118), with the percentage keyed to the number of the eight listed characteristics of disfigurement and any visible tissue loss or gross distortion of facial features. Painful or unstable scars rate separately under DC 7804.

Rating Criteria

80%

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%

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%

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%

With one characteristic of disfigurement

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.

Secondary Conditions

Chronic Pain SyndromeMODERATE

Scar tissue can cause persistent pain

Limited Range of MotionMODERATE

Scar contracture restricts movement

DepressionMODERATE

Disfiguring scars affect self-image

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Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.118 (Skin). Source verified 2026-06-16 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.
CLAIMRECON 2026

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