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Scars VA Disability Rating
DC 7800-7805 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.118 | M21-1, Part IV.ii.10
OVERVIEW
Scars are rated under DCs 7800-7805 based on location, size, stability, pain, and functional limitation. Surgical scars from service-connected surgeries are separately ratable. Burn scars, traumatic scars, and post-surgical scars each have specific rating criteria. Painful or unstable scars receive a minimum 10% rating each. Multiple scars can be rated individually.
RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)
80% — Head/face/neck: visible tissue loss + gross distortion of 3+ features
Visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more facial features or paired sets, OR six or more characteristics of disfigurement (DC 7800).
50% — Head/face/neck: tissue loss + distortion of 2 features, or 4-5 disfigurement characteristics
Visible or palpable tissue loss and gross distortion of two features, OR four or five characteristics of disfigurement (DC 7800).
40% — Body scar area 144+ square inches
Superficial scar covering areas of 144 square inches (929 sq cm) or greater. Rate under DC 7801. Zones: each extremity, anterior trunk, posterior trunk.
30% — Body scar area 72-143 square inches, or head/face/neck with 1-2 disfigurement characteristics
Scar area 72-143 square inches (DC 7801); or head/face/neck scar with one or two characteristics of disfigurement (DC 7800).
20% — Body scar area 12-71 square inches
Scar covering at least 12 square inches but less than 72 square inches (DC 7801).
10% — Body scar area 6-11 square inches, or head/face/neck with one minor characteristic
Scar covering at least 6 square inches but less than 12 square inches (DC 7801); or head/face/neck scar with one minor disfigurement characteristic.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Photographs of scars with measurements (length, width)
-Medical records documenting the surgery or injury that caused the scar
-Documentation of pain or instability (skin breaks down, opens, bleeds)
-Documentation of functional limitation caused by scar (restricted movement, nerve pain)
C&P EXAM TIPS (4)
1.Every surgical scar from a service-connected surgery is separately ratable — knee surgery, back surgery, shoulder surgery all produce ratable scars.
2.Report if ANY scar is painful to touch or unstable (breaks open). Each painful/unstable scar qualifies for at least 10%.
3.Head, face, and neck scars have their own rating criteria under DC 7800 with higher potential ratings.
4.Deep scars (associated with underlying tissue damage) are rated under DC 7801 based on area in square inches.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
38 C.F.R. § 4.118, DCs 7800-7805
Rate scars based on location (head/face/neck = DC 7800; body area = DC 7801/7802) and severity (tissue loss, disfigurement, area). Unstable or painful scars rate under DC 7804 (10%) or DC 7805 (based on functional limitation). Combine scar ratings for multiple areas under § 4.25.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Scars are often overlooked but provide additional rating percentage on top of the underlying condition. A veteran with 3 painful surgical scars from service-connected surgeries adds 20% to their combined rating.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026