★ Skin
Scars VA Rating (Painful or Unstable)
38 CFR § 4.118, Diagnostic Codes 7800–7805
Overview
Even a small surgical scar that is painful on examination supports 10% under DC 7804.
Up to five painful or unstable scars can be rated separately — they don't all combine into one 10%.
Head, face, or neck scars with disfigurement use the 8 characteristics of disfigurement (DC 7800).
In Depth
Scars are evaluated under 38 CFR § 4.118 across four principal codes. DC 7800 covers scars of the head, face, or neck and is built around the eight characteristics of disfigurement defined in Note (1) to that code, plus visible or palpable tissue loss and gross distortion of features. DC 7801 covers scars not of the head, face, or neck that are deep and nonlinear, rated by total area. DC 7802 covers superficial and nonlinear scars of that same region by area. DC 7804 covers unstable or painful scars, rated by the number of such scars.
The characteristics of disfigurement in Note (1) to DC 7800 are specific and measurable: length of five or more inches; width at widest part of at least one-quarter inch; surface contour elevated or depressed on palpation; adherence to underlying tissue; hypo- or hyperpigmented area exceeding six square inches; abnormal skin texture exceeding six square inches; underlying soft tissue missing in an area exceeding six square inches; and indurated and inflexible skin in an area exceeding six square inches.
DC 7805 directs that any disabling effects not considered under DC 7800 through 7804 be evaluated under an appropriate diagnostic code, which is how limitation of motion caused by scarring is addressed separately without violating § 4.14.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Scars from in-service surgeries, injuries, or shrapnel are directly service-connected.
- Scars from surgeries to treat service-connected conditions are secondary.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.118, Diagnostic Codes 7800–7805
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | One or two painful or unstable scars. |
| 20% | Three or four painful or unstable scars. |
| 30% | Five or more painful or unstable scars. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- C&P exam noting tenderness on palpation or instability of the scar.
- Photographs.
- Linking surgery scars to a service-connected condition.
Evidence Templates
Common formats of evidence the VA looks for in this type of claim. These describe what the documents typically include — they are not legal forms or medical opinions, and Oakridge Claims does not draft them.
Scar examination with measurements
Documentation of length, width, total area, depth, and whether each scar is painful or unstable, matching the § 4.118 criteria.
Clinical photographs
Images documenting appearance, contour, pigmentation, and texture, particularly for head, face, or neck scars under DC 7800.
Operative reports
Surgical records establishing the origin and date of each scar.
Evidence VA Commonly Cites in These Claims
Descriptive summary of evidence types frequently referenced in rating decisions for this condition. Not a checklist of actions to take — every claim is decided on its own facts.
- ★Because the codes are measurement-based, examination reports that record scar dimensions in inches or square inches map directly onto the criteria.
- ★Whether a scar is painful on examination or unstable — with frequent loss of covering of skin over the scar — is what DC 7804 turns on, and the count of such scars matters.
- ★For head, face, or neck scars, an examination addressing each of the eight characteristics in Note (1) covers what DC 7800 asks.
- ★Where scarring restricts motion, DC 7805 contemplates evaluation of that effect under the applicable musculoskeletal code.
Common pitfalls VA sees
- Not having scar measurements in the record when the codes are area- and dimension-based.
- Overlooking DC 7804 where scars are painful, since painful scars are separately compensable by count.
- Forgetting to claim surgical scars from procedures that were themselves treatment for a service-connected condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Scars claim or denial?
Four fields. A VA-accredited claims agent reviews it and responds within 3–5 business days. Contingent fees apply only to awarded past-due benefits on appeals — never on initial claims.
Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.
Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria on this page are summarized in plain English from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. This page provides general education about how the VA rates this condition; it is not individualized advice, does not establish a representation relationship, and should not be used to self-diagnose, self-treat, or decide a course of action without speaking to a qualified clinician and a VA-accredited representative. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts, evidence, and the adjudicator's judgment; no specific rating, effective date, or other result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.