Skin Cancer VA Claim: Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Guide (2026)
Quick answer: VA rates skin cancers other than melanoma under Diagnostic Code 7818, usually by the scars or disfigurement they leave, or by loss of function. Basal and squamous cell cancers are not on the PACT Act presumptive list, so most claims rely on direct service connection or, for some veterans, radiation exposure rules.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common skin cancers, and many veterans spent years outdoors in service with little sun protection. This guide explains how VA rates these cancers, how a veteran can show a link to service, and what evidence tends to matter. For melanoma, which is handled differently, see our melanoma VA claim guide.
How Does VA Rate Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer?
Under 38 CFR § 4.118, malignant skin neoplasms other than melanoma are rated under Diagnostic Code 7818. The code does not carry its own percentage scale. Instead, it tells the rater to evaluate the condition as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), as scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or by impairment of function, depending on what the cancer and its treatment left behind. Benign skin neoplasms (DC 7819) use the same instruction. The regulation is at 38 CFR § 4.118.
Key point: The rating usually follows the residuals, such as scars on the face or a painful, unstable scar after excision, not the cancer diagnosis alone.
When Can a Skin Cancer Get a 100% Rating?
A note under DC 7818 provides that if a skin malignancy requires therapy comparable to that used for systemic malignancies, namely systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision, a 100 percent evaluation is assigned from the date treatment begins. The 100 percent rating continues, with a mandatory VA examination six months after treatment ends. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, VA then evaluates the residuals.
The same note states that if treatment is confined to the skin, the 100 percent provisions do not apply. In practice, that means a standard excision or topical treatment generally leads to a residuals rating, not a temporary total rating. Surgery for a service-connected condition may still support a temporary 100 percent rating under 38 CFR § 4.30 if it needs at least one month of convalescence or has severe postoperative residuals.
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Get Free Claim Help →What Ratings Apply to the Scars and Disfigurement?
Because DC 7818 points to the scar and disfigurement codes, the residuals determine the percentage. The main criteria in § 4.118 are summarized below.
| Diagnostic Code | What it covers | Possible ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 7800 | Scars or disfigurement of head, face, or neck | 10%, 30%, 50%, or 80%, based on tissue loss, distortion or asymmetry of features, and the number of the eight characteristics of disfigurement |
| 7801 | Scars not of head, face, or neck, with underlying soft tissue damage | 10% to 40%, based on total area (from 6 square inches up to 144 square inches or more) |
| 7802 | Scars not of head, face, or neck, without underlying soft tissue damage | Up to 10% for an area of 144 square inches or more |
| 7804 | Unstable or painful scars | 10% (one or two scars), 20% (three or four), 30% (five or more) |
Under DC 7800, the eight characteristics of disfigurement include a scar five or more inches long, a scar at least one-quarter inch wide, elevated or depressed contour, adherence to underlying tissue, and abnormal skin texture or pigmentation over more than six square inches. Note (3) says unretouched color photographs are considered, so clear photographs of the affected area are useful evidence. Separate effects such as pain or nerve involvement may be rated under another code. See also our guide to rating scars and keloids.
How Can a Veteran Show Service Connection for Skin Cancer?
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are not named in the PACT Act burn-pit presumptive list on VA.gov (which does include melanoma), and they are not among the Agent Orange presumptive conditions VA lists. A claim therefore usually proceeds in one of these ways:
- Direct service connection. Evidence of an in-service event or exposure (prolonged sun exposure in a duty assignment, documented sunburns, or skin treatment during service), a current diagnosis, and a medical opinion linking the two. See our nexus letter guide.
- Ionizing radiation. Under 38 CFR § 3.311(b)(2)(vii), skin cancer is listed as a radiogenic disease. Where a veteran took part in atmospheric nuclear testing, the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, or other claimed radiation activities, and the disease first becomes manifest at least five years after exposure (§ 3.311(b)(5)), VA reviews the claim under the radiation procedure. This is a review process, not an automatic presumption. See our radiation exposure guide and atomic veteran guide.
- Secondary service connection. A skin cancer that develops as a result of a service-connected condition or its treatment may be claimed as secondary, with medical support. See secondary service connection.
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Get a Free Claim Review →What Evidence Helps a Skin Cancer Claim?
- Pathology report confirming the cancer type (basal cell, squamous cell) and dates of diagnosis
- Service treatment records showing skin complaints, sunburns, or lesions during service
- Duty history showing outdoor or high-exposure assignments (DD-214 and unit records; see how to get your DD-214)
- A dermatologist or oncologist opinion that the cancer is at least as likely as not related to service
- Photographs of scars and surgical sites, and records of all excisions or treatments
- A personal statement and buddy statements describing sun or other exposure (see lay evidence)
Prepare for the exam using our C&P exam guide. Report every scar, including ones that are painful or that break down.
What If I Have Several Skin Cancers or Repeated Excisions?
Veterans with repeated skin cancers often have multiple scars. Under DC 7804 the count of unstable or painful scars drives the percentage, and scars rated under 7800, 7801, 7802, or 7805 may also receive an evaluation under 7804 when applicable. Keep a running record of each excision, its location, and any pain or breakdown. If your condition worsens, you can ask for an increase; see rating increase tips.
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates
Monthly rates below are for a veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025, from the VA.gov rates page. Your total rating combines all your disabilities; use our combined ratings calculator to estimate it.
| Rating | Monthly (veteran alone) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
See the full 2026 pay chart for rates with dependents.
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Get a Free Case Review →Frequently Asked Questions
VA rates malignant skin neoplasms other than melanoma, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, under Diagnostic Code 7818 in 38 CFR 4.118. The code directs the rater to evaluate disfigurement, scars, or impairment of function.
VA lists melanoma among the PACT Act burn-pit presumptive cancers, but it does not list basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. A veteran with these cancers would generally need direct service connection or another route, such as the radiation rules where they apply.
A note under DC 7818 provides a 100 percent rating when treatment is comparable to that for systemic cancers, such as systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision. It does not apply when treatment is confined to the skin.
It depends on location and size. Head, face, and neck scars are rated under DC 7800 at 10, 30, 50, or 80 percent. Other scars may be rated under DC 7801, 7802, or 7804, for example 10 to 30 percent for unstable or painful scars depending on the number of scars.
Yes, in part. 38 CFR 3.311(b)(2)(vii) lists skin cancer as a radiogenic disease for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation, with a requirement that it become manifest at least five years after exposure. VA reviews these claims under a special procedure rather than presuming service connection.
Useful evidence includes the pathology report, service treatment records, proof of exposure such as duty history, a medical opinion linking the cancer to service, photographs of scars, and your own statement. Evidence cannot guarantee a result, but it gives the rater what they need to decide.
No. Melanoma is on the PACT Act presumptive list for qualifying veterans and is not rated under DC 7818. See our melanoma guide for how it is handled.