Painful or unstable scars
The VA rates Painful or unstable scars under Diagnostic Code 7804 across 3 severity levels, from 10% to 30%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
Catalog name: Scar(s), unstable or painful.
Rating schedule — DC 7804 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 10%
- Maximum rating
- 30%
- Rating tiers
- 3
- CFR section
- § 4.118
- Body system
- Skin Conditions
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
10%, 20%, 30%
Part 4 rating schedule
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Painful or unstable scars?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | One or two scars that are unstable or painful Note: Unstable scar = one that spontaneously breaks down (ulcerates) 3 or more times in 12 months without trauma. Painful scar = verified by examination findings. |
| 20% | Three or four scars that are unstable or painful |
| 30% | Five or more scars that are unstable or painful |
“Three or four scars that are unstable or painful”
What other skin conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Painful or unstable scars in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 7805Scars, other; and other effects of scars evaluated under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, or 7804Rated up to 60%
- 7806Dermatitis or eczemaRated up to 60%
- 7817ErythrodermaRated up to 100%
- 7823VitiligoRated up to 10%
- 7825Chronic urticariaRated up to 60%
- 7826Vasculitis, primary cutaneousRated up to 60%
- 7827Erythema multiforme; Toxic epidermal necrolysisRated up to 60%
- 7828AcneRated up to 30%
- 7829ChloracneRated up to 30%
- 7830Scarring alopeciaRated up to 20%
Common Questions About Painful or unstable scars VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Painful or unstable scars?
The VA rates Painful or unstable scars under Diagnostic Code 7804 at 10%, 20%, 30%. The minimum 10% rating requires: One or two scars that are unstable or painful. The maximum 30% rating requires: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Painful or unstable scars?
The VA rates Painful or unstable scars under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7804, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.118. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 10% and a 30% rating for Painful or unstable scars?
A 10% rating requires: One or two scars that are unstable or painful. A 30% rating requires: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Painful or unstable scars qualify for TDIU?
Painful or unstable scars maxes at 30%, well below the single-disability TDIU threshold. However, combined with other service-connected disabilities, TDIU may be achievable under 38 CFR § 4.16. Focus on establishing secondary conditions to increase the combined rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Painful or unstable scars?
The key evidence for Painful or unstable scars is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. Treatment records showing worsening symptoms, functional limitations documented by your provider, and buddy statements describing observable impact on daily life all strengthen the claim. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Painful or unstable scars?
The C&P examiner uses a Skin Conditions DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 7804 rating criteria. The examiner documents symptom frequency, severity, and functional impact. Bring all treatment records and describe your worst days, not your best — the VA rates on the full clinical picture across time, not a snapshot of one good day.
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