What DC codes does VA use for scars?

VA rates scars under DC 7800-7805. DC 7800 covers disfiguring scars on the head, face, or neck. DC 7801 rates scars elsewhere with limited joint motion. DC 7802 covers deep non-linear scars at multiple locations. DC 7803 covers superficial non-linear scars. DC 7804 covers painful or unstable scars (10% per scar). DC 7805 covers other scars with functional limitation not covered by 7801-7804.

What is the VA rating for a painful scar?

Under DC 7804, a painful or unstable scar rates at 10% per location. 'Painful' means the scar causes pain on palpation (touching) at the C&P examination. 'Unstable' means the scar breaks down and becomes an open sore. Multiple painful scars at different locations each rate at 10%, and these can be combined with other scar ratings. A veteran with 3 separate painful surgical scars could rate 10% + 10% + 10% under DC 7804.

How does VA rate a burn scar?

Burn scars are rated under the most applicable scar code based on their characteristics. Disfiguring burn scars on the face/neck/head rate under DC 7800. Burn scars causing limitation of joint motion rate under DC 7801. Painful or unstable burn scars rate under DC 7804. Extensive body surface area burn scarring may also be rated under DC 7805 or under the general skin condition rating for the total affected area. Multiple scar locations from burns are each separately rated.

What is a keloid and how does VA rate it?

A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue beyond the original wound margins, forming a raised, often itchy or painful firm mass. Keloids are rated under the same DC 7800-7805 framework as other scars — based on location, area, pain/instability, and functional limitation. Keloid scars that are painful on palpation rate under DC 7804 at 10% per location. Keloids on the face/neck rate under DC 7800.

Can multiple scars each get separate VA ratings?

Yes, with important rules. VA assigns separate ratings for scars at different anatomical locations. For DC 7804 (painful/unstable scars), each qualifying scar at a separate location rates at 10%. However, VA may combine scars at the same anatomical location rather than rating them separately. Multiple scars from blast injury, multiple surgeries, or burns at different body regions can each be independently rated.

Do blast injury scars qualify for VA disability?

Yes. Scars from blast injuries (IED, mortar, rocket, grenade) are directly service-connected as combat injuries. Blast scars may be scattered across the body from fragmentation, requiring careful anatomical documentation of each wound site and resulting scar. Each qualifying scar — painful, unstable, on face/neck, limiting joint motion — is rated under the appropriate DC code. Blast injury service connection is established through Purple Heart documentation or combat casualty records.

How large does a scar need to be for VA rating?

DC 7800 (face/neck/head scars) rates based on surface area measured in square centimeters: 10% for surface area of at least 39 sq cm. DC 7801 (scars limiting joint motion) requires demonstrable limitation. DC 7804 (painful/unstable) has no size minimum — even a small painful scar rates at 10%. The key is the characteristic of the scar (location, pain, instability, joint limitation), not the size alone.

Can a post-surgical scar be service-connected if surgery was not in service?

Yes, if surgery was performed to treat a service-connected condition after separation, the post-surgical scar is a service-connected residual of the treatment for the SC condition. For example, if you have a service-connected knee injury and underwent knee replacement surgery after separation, the knee replacement scar is a service-connected surgical residual. The key is that the service-connected condition necessitated the surgery.

What is an unstable scar for VA purposes?

An unstable scar under DC 7804 is one that breaks down spontaneously into an open skin lesion without trauma. This may occur with chronic ulceration at scar sites, particularly at locations subject to friction or pressure. Unstable scar documentation requires medical records showing episodes of scar breakdown, ulceration, or wound opening. Like painful scars, unstable scars rate at 10% per location.

How does VA rate a scar that limits joint motion?

DC 7801 rates scars on the trunk or extremities that limit motion of an underlying joint or adjacent part. Rating is based on the size of the scar limiting motion: 10% for scar area of 6 to 12 sq cm; 20% for 12 to 72 sq cm; 30% for scars larger than 72 sq cm; 40% for scars larger than 144 sq cm. If the scar limits joint motion, VA should rate both DC 7801 and any underlying joint condition — but cannot rate the same joint limitation twice under both a scar code and the joint motion code.

What is the VA rating for face and neck scars?

Disfiguring scars on the head, face, or neck are rated under DC 7800, with ratings from 10% to 80% based on the total surface area: 10% for 39 sq cm or more; 20% for 78 sq cm or more; 30% for 117 sq cm or more; 40% for 156 sq cm or more; up to 80% for the most extensive facial scarring. Additionally, if head/face/neck scars are painful or unstable, DC 7804 may apply separately.

Can I claim both a scar rating and PTSD from combat injuries?

Yes. Scars from combat injuries (blast, gunshot, burns) are rated under DC 7800-7805 based on physical characteristics. PTSD related to those combat events is rated separately under DC 9411. The two conditions are distinct disabilities — one physical (scar), one mental (PTSD). They are combined using VA's combined ratings formula for separate disabilities. If the combat injury and resulting scarring contributed to the PTSD, that strengthens both claims.

Are burn scars from training accidents service-connected?

Yes. Burn injuries during military training — explosives training, fuel handling accidents, vehicle fires, kitchen/food service burns during field exercises — are directly service-connected. Service connection does not require combat; it requires that the injury occurred in the line of duty during military service. Training accident burns and their resulting scars are fully claimable as direct service-connected injuries.

Do I need a nexus letter for scar claims?

For scars from obvious in-service events (combat injuries, documented training accidents), the service connection may be self-evident from your military records, and a formal nexus letter may not be required. For post-surgical scars from surgeries treating service-connected conditions, a nexus letter explaining that the surgery was for the SC condition is typically sufficient. For scars where the in-service origin is less clear, a nexus letter from a dermatologist or surgeon is helpful.

What is the maximum VA rating for scars?

The maximum single scar rating under DC 7800 (head/face/neck) is 80% for extensive disfiguring facial scarring. Under DC 7801 (trunk/extremity limiting motion), maximum is 40% for scars over 144 sq cm. Under DC 7804 (painful/unstable), each scar rates 10% with no stated maximum for multiple locations. Multiple scar ratings can be combined, but VA's combined ratings formula limits the total, and VA may not rate the same functional limitation twice under both a scar and a joint motion code.

Can I get VA rating for a scar inside the body (internal scar)?

Internal surgical adhesions and scars (such as abdominal adhesions from abdominal surgery or pleural scarring from lung injury) are not rated under DC 7800-7805, which cover skin scars. Internal scarring is addressed through the DC code for the affected organ or system — for example, abdominal adhesions causing bowel obstruction are rated under the appropriate digestive system code, and pleural scarring is rated under the respiratory system codes based on functional impairment.

How do I document multiple scars for a VA claim?

For multiple scars, document each scar individually: location (anatomical region and specific body landmark), dimensions (length x width in cm, or total area in sq cm), depth (superficial vs. deep), characteristics (painful, unstable, hyperpigmented, raised/keloid), functional impact (limiting joint motion, disfigurement), and the service event that caused each scar. A dermatologist or plastic surgeon evaluation mapping all scars with measurements is the most authoritative documentation for a complex multi-scar claim.

Can service-connected scars affect my Combined Disability Rating significantly?

Yes, significantly — especially for blast injury or burn veterans with multiple scars at different locations. Under DC 7804, each painful scar at a separate location rates 10%. A veteran with 5 separate painful blast fragment scars has five 10% ratings that combine in the overall calculation. Additionally, if face/neck scars rate under DC 7800 at higher percentages, and those combine with painful scars under DC 7804 and other service-connected conditions, the combined effect on the overall rating can be substantial.

What is the VA process for rating scars from a gunshot wound?

Gunshot wound (GSW) scars are rated based on: entry and exit wound scars (potentially two separate scar ratings); any secondary scarring from surgical repair; underlying structural damage (nerve, bone, joint, organ) rated under applicable codes; and any functional limitation caused by the scar. A GSW to the arm with entry/exit wounds plus surgical repair incision could have three separately ratable scars, plus the underlying nerve or bone injury rated separately under musculoskeletal or neurological codes.

How often do scar ratings change over time?

Scar ratings are generally stable after the wound has fully matured (typically 12-18 months after injury). However, scars can change over time — keloids can grow, adhesive scars can become more symptomatic, or previously asymptomatic scars can become painful from secondary irritation or aging. If a scar that was previously rated at 0% or 10% develops new characteristics (becomes painful, begins breaking down, limits new motion), file a rating increase claim with updated medical documentation.

Skin / Scar Claims Updated July 2026 · By Marcus J. Webb

VA Disability Rating for Scars and Keloids (DC 7800–7805)

Scars from combat injuries, blast fragmentation, burns, surgical repairs, and training accidents are among the most tangible service-connected disabilities a veteran can have — yet the VA scar rating schedule (DC 7800–7805) is one of the least understood and most underutilized sections of the rating schedule. The key insight: VA rates scars based on location, size, pain, instability, and functional limitation — not just appearance. A painful 2-centimeter surgical scar rates at 10% under DC 7804. Multiple blast fragment scars at separate anatomical locations each rate separately. This guide explains every scar code in detail, the evidence needed for each, and how combat veterans with complex scar patterns can maximize their ratings.

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Overview: VA Scar Diagnostic Codes (DC 7800–7805)

VA rates service-connected scars under six Diagnostic Codes, each designed to capture a different type or characteristic of scar disability. Understanding which code applies — or which combination maximizes your rating — requires knowing the criteria for each:

DC	Code Name	Primary Criterion	Max Rating
7800	Scars, head/face/neck — disfiguring	Surface area (sq cm)	80%
7801	Scars, other — limiting joint motion	Scar area (sq cm) with motion limitation	40%
7802	Scars, deep — non-linear, multiple	Deep tissue, multiple locations	10%
7803	Scars, superficial — non-linear	Area covered by superficial scars	10%
7804	Scars, painful or unstable	Pain on palpation or instability	10% per location
7805	Scars, other	Functional impairment not covered above	10%+

Multiple codes can apply simultaneously to different scars on the same veteran — for example, a blast injury veteran might have DC 7800 (facial scarring) + DC 7804 (painful fragment scars on trunk/extremities) + DC 7801 (arm scar limiting elbow motion) all rated simultaneously and combined.

The Golden Rule: One Limitation, One Code

VA cannot rate the same functional limitation under two codes. If a scar limits elbow motion, you get either the DC 7801 scar rating OR the DC 5156 elbow motion limitation rating — whichever is higher — but not both for the same functional loss. However, a painful scar at the same location can rate under DC 7804 for pain, while DC 7801 rates the motion limitation separately, as long as the examiner clearly distinguishes the two characteristics.

DC 7800: Head, Face, and Neck Disfiguring Scars

Scars on the head, face, or neck are rated under DC 7800 based primarily on the total surface area of disfiguring scarring measured in square centimeters:

Surface Area of Disfiguring Scar	Rating
376 sq cm or more	80%
281-375 sq cm	70%
195-280 sq cm	60%
117-194 sq cm	50%
78-116 sq cm	40%
39-77 sq cm	30%
Less than 39 sq cm	10%

For DC 7800, the examiner must measure the total area of all disfiguring scars on the head, face, and neck. "Disfiguring" includes any scar visible to others — not just grossly deforming scars. Hyperpigmentation, depigmentation, contracture, and raised keloid tissue all qualify as disfiguring when located on these exposed areas.

Veterans with IED blast injuries, gunshot wounds to the face, or significant burns to exposed areas may have substantial DC 7800 ratings. Ensure the examining physician measures all qualifying scar areas precisely in square centimeters.

DC 7801: Scars Elsewhere Limiting Joint Motion

DC 7801 applies to scars on the trunk or extremities (not head/face/neck) that cause limitation of motion of an underlying joint. Ratings are based on the total surface area of the scar limiting motion:

Scar Area (sq cm)	Rating
144 sq cm or more	40%
72-143 sq cm	30%
12-71 sq cm	20%
6-11 sq cm	10%

DC 7801 requires that the scar demonstrably limits motion — pull on the joint during ROM testing, painful tension during movement, or adhesion to underlying structures restricting motion. A large scar that does not limit motion rates under DC 7802, 7803, or 7804 rather than DC 7801.

DC 7804: Painful or Unstable Scars — The Workhorse Code

DC 7804 is arguably the most practically important scar code for most veterans because it requires only that the scar be painful on palpation or prone to breakdown (unstable) — no size requirement, no specific location requirement. Each qualifying scar rates at 10% per location.

What Makes a Scar "Painful" Under DC 7804

A scar is painful under DC 7804 when:

The scar produces pain when physically pressed during the C&P examination
The treating medical record documents complaints of scar pain
The veteran credibly reports painful scar symptoms that are consistent with the nature and location of the scar

The examiner must physically palpate the scar during the C&P exam. If you have painful scars, you must say so clearly when the examiner touches them. "That is painful" or "that hurts when you press there" is the statement that generates the 10% DC 7804 rating.

What Makes a Scar "Unstable" Under DC 7804

An unstable scar is one that:

Breaks down spontaneously into an open wound without trauma
Chronically ulcerates or fails to maintain skin integrity
Repeatedly reopens under normal activity levels

Unstable scars are documented in medical records when the veteran presents for wound care. If your scar has broken down multiple times, ensure those visits are documented in your VA or private medical records.

Multiple Painful Scars

For blast injury veterans with multiple fragment wound scars, each separate scar at a distinct anatomical location that is painful on examination rates at 10% under DC 7804. A veteran with 5 painful blast fragment scars at different body regions can accumulate five separate 10% DC 7804 ratings, all of which combine in the overall rating calculation.

DC 7802–7803: Deep and Superficial Non-Linear Scars

These codes apply to scars not covered by the other codes:

DC 7802 — Deep non-linear scar at multiple locations: Rates at 10% when there are deep tissue scars at multiple body locations not involving the head/face/neck or limiting joint motion
DC 7803 — Superficial non-linear scar: Rates at 10% when superficial scars cover a total area of 929 sq cm (144 sq in) or more or when they are visible and cover at least 5% of the face/exposed area

DC 7802 is most commonly applicable to blast or burn veterans with scattered deep tissue scarring at multiple body regions that don't individually qualify for higher codes but collectively represent significant scarring.

DC 7805: Other Scars

DC 7805 is a catch-all for scars that cause functional impairment not adequately captured by DC 7801–7804. Rating under DC 7805 is based on the functional impairment of the associated part and can rate from 10% to higher percentages if significant functional limitation exists.

Blast and Fragmentation Scars

IED and other blast injury veterans often have multiple fragment wound scars at various body regions — the classic "pepper pattern" of fragmentation injuries. For VA rating purposes:

Each anatomically distinct fragment wound scar location is separately evaluated under DC 7804 (if painful) or other applicable codes
Purple Heart documentation or combat casualty reports establish service connection automatically — no nexus letter required
Request that the C&P examiner document each fragment scar separately with location, size, and pain characteristics
Bring a body diagram marking each scar location to help the examiner document systematically
If fragment wounds caused nerve damage (neuralgia from fragments near nerves), those neurological residuals are rated under peripheral nerve codes in addition to the scar rating

Purple Heart Veterans and Scar Claims

If you received the Purple Heart for a combat wound that left scars, your service connection for those scars is presumptively established under 38 CFR § 3.304(f). You do not need a nexus letter — the Purple Heart citation is sufficient. Focus instead on ensuring the C&P examiner thoroughly documents all scar characteristics to maximize the rating under the applicable DC codes.

Burn Scars: Military Training and Combat Burns

Burn injuries in military service occur in several contexts:

Vehicle fires (especially during combat or accidents)
IED/fuel explosive events
Explosives and demolition training accidents
Aviation fuel and fire incidents
Food service/field kitchen burns during deployment

Burn scars are rated under whichever DC code best captures their characteristics. Extensive burn scarring covering large body areas may rate under DC 7803 (superficial, large area) or DC 7801 (if limiting joint motion). Burn scars that are painful rate under DC 7804. Facial burns rate under DC 7800 by area measurement.

Hypertrophic burn scars (raised, firm, red) are particularly prone to being painful — document pain consistently across medical visits and at the C&P exam.

Post-Surgical Scars from Service-Connected Conditions

Surgical scars from operations treating service-connected injuries are themselves service-connected residuals. Examples:

Knee surgery (ORIF, ACL reconstruction) for service-connected knee injury — surgical incision scar is service-connected
Abdominal surgery for service-connected gunshot wound — laparotomy/incision scar is service-connected
Thoracotomy for service-connected lung injury — chest wall scar is service-connected
Amputation stump scar — directly service-connected from service-connected limb loss

Post-surgical scars often become painful as they mature, develop adherence to underlying structures, or are subjected to daily mechanical stress. Even scars from surgeries years ago can be re-evaluated for pain under DC 7804 if they have become symptomatic.

Keloids: Rating Considerations

Keloids are firm, raised scar tissue overgrowths extending beyond the original wound margin. They are more common in individuals with darker skin tones and disproportionately affect Black veterans. For VA rating:

Keloids on the face/neck/head: rate under DC 7800 by total area measurement
Keloids elsewhere that are painful: rate under DC 7804 at 10% per location
Keloids that are itchy, tender, or inflamed: document these symptoms specifically — "painful" for DC 7804 includes tenderness, not just sharp pain
Large keloids limiting joint motion: rate under DC 7801

Example Documentation: Multiple Blast Fragment Scars — Mapping Approach

"Veteran presents with multiple healed fragmentation wound scars from IED blast injury in Ramadi, Iraq, October 2005 (documented in combat casualty evacuation report and Purple Heart citation). Physical examination reveals: (1) 2.5 cm x 0.8 cm scar, right anterior forearm — painful on palpation; (2) 1.5 cm x 0.5 cm scar, right chest lateral aspect — painful on palpation; (3) 3 cm x 1 cm scar, left lateral thigh — painful on palpation; (4) 1 cm x 0.5 cm scar, right shoulder anterior — not painful. Service connection for each scar is established through Purple Heart documentation. Scars 1, 2, and 3 each qualify for rating under DC 7804 (painful scar, 10% each location). Total: three separately qualifying scar locations under DC 7804."

Building Your Scar Claim

Document every scar with specific body location, dimensions (cm), and characteristics (raised, flat, depigmented, keloid)
For each scar: test for pain by pressing — document which are painful at examination
Request the C&P examiner use a ruler to measure scar dimensions
For face/neck/head scars: ensure total sq cm area is precisely measured for DC 7800 tier determination
Bring photos of all scars (especially during flare-ups or episodes of instability)
Bring all surgical operative reports documenting each scar-generating procedure
For blast injuries: bring your Purple Heart citation or combat casualty documentation
Request dermatologist or plastic surgeon evaluation for comprehensive multi-scar documentation
Document any functional limitations from scars limiting joint motion (ROM measurements)

C&P Exam Strategy for Scar Claims

Say "that hurts" every time a scar is touched if it does — this is the DC 7804 qualifying statement
Request the examiner examine all scars, not just the most obvious ones
Bring a body map showing all scar locations to help the examiner be systematic
Describe any instability episodes: "This scar broke open twice last year without any trauma"
Describe all functional limitations: "This chest scar pulls when I reach overhead"
Describe psychosocial impacts for facial scars: employment impact, social interaction, self-image
Describe sensitivity to temperature, UV light, or touch in scar areas
Request the examiner measure and document each scar separately if multiple are present

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