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Scars

Scars and disfigurement

What it is

Scars are marks left on the skin after an injury, burn, or surgery.

VA's code numbers for this: 7800, 7801, 7802, 7804, 7805

What the examiner will do

Who does it: A VA doctor or a VA contract examiner. VA's exam page (updated Aug 15, 2025) names four contract companies: Loyal Source Government Services, OptumServe Health Services, Leidos QTC Health Services, and Veterans Evaluation Services (VES). (LHI is an older name; it is now part of OptumServe.) You can't pick which one. Answer every call or letter about scheduling.

  • A VA or contract doctor, NP, or PA. Often 15-30 minutes.
  • They look at, measure, and touch each scar, and may take photos.
  • Questions: How did you get it? Does it hurt? Does the skin break down? Does it limit how you move?

Tests, in plain words

Measuring
The examiner measures each scar's length and width with a ruler or tape and figures the area.
Photos
For head, face, and neck scars, VA considers unedited color photos.
Painful
The examiner asks if it hurts and may touch it. VA has proposed a note saying it wants objective evidence of pain (see pending changes).

The examiner fills out a form called a DBQ. You can read it ahead of time: Scars DBQ (opens VA's site).

The rating levels, in plain words

VA picks the level that best matches how often and how badly the condition affects you.

  • 10%

    PAINFUL OR UNSTABLE SCARS (anywhere, DC 7804): 1 or 2 scars that hurt or keep breaking open = 10%. 3-4 = 20%. 5+ = 30%. If any scar is BOTH painful and unstable, add 10%. 'Unstable' means the skin over it often breaks down.

    VA's exact words

    7804 Scar(s), unstable or painful: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful 30; Three or four ... 20; One or two ... 10. Note (1): An unstable scar is one where, for any reason, there is frequent loss of covering of skin over the scar. Note (2): If one or more scars are both unstable and painful, add 10 percent ...

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7804

  • 10%

    HEAD, FACE, OR NECK (DC 7800): VA counts 8 'characteristics' (for example, a scar 5+ inches long, 1/4 inch+ wide, raised or sunken, stuck to tissue underneath, or skin color or texture changed over 6+ square inches). 1 characteristic = 10%. 2-3 = 30%. 4-5 = 50%. 6+ = 80%. Visible tissue loss with distortion of facial features also raises the rating.

    VA's exact words

    With one characteristic of disfigurement 10; ... two or three characteristics of disfigurement 30; ... four or five characteristics 50; ... six or more characteristics 80 [each higher level also reachable by visible or palpable tissue loss and gross distortion or asymmetry of features].

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7800, Notes (1)-(5)

  • 10%

    DEEP SCARS NOT ON HEAD/FACE/NECK (DC 7801 - with damage to tissue under the skin): 6 to under 12 square inches = 10%; 12 to under 72 = 20%; 72 to under 144 = 30%; 144+ = 40%. Each body zone (each arm, each leg, front of trunk, back of trunk) can be rated separately.

    VA's exact words

    Area or areas of at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.) but less than 12 square inches (77 sq. cm.) 10 ... 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater 40

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7801

  • 10%

    SURFACE SCARS NOT ON HEAD/FACE/NECK (DC 7802 - no damage underneath): 144 square inches or more (about a 12x12 inch area) = 10%.

    VA's exact words

    Area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater 10

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7802

  • Note

    OTHER EFFECTS (DC 7805): If a scar limits movement or causes nerve problems, VA rates that effect under the right code.

    VA's exact words

    Evaluate any disabling effect(s) not considered in a rating provided under diagnostic codes 7800-04 under an appropriate diagnostic code

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7805

What to track before your exam

What to write down: Each scar: where, size, whether it hurts, breaks open, itches, limits movement.

How: Make a list of every scar, even small surgical ones. Take clear, unfiltered photos with a ruler next to each. Note if pain or breakdown comes and goes.

Your log: what to write each time

  1. Scar #
  2. Location
  3. How it happened (date)
  4. Length x width (inches)
  5. Painful? when?
  6. Breaks open or blisters? how often
  7. Limits movement?
  8. Photo taken (Y/N)

Tap Print this page to get a blank log sheet and your exam-day checklist on paper.

Exam-day checklist

Tick each one off. Nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere.

What to bring: Bring a photo ID, your list of medicines and doses, your home log, and any new private records you have not sent to VA yet. VA says you don't have to bring anything, but your notes help you remember. A spouse or caregiver may come along. VA says you can ask the examiner if they can stay in the room. The examiner may ask them to wait outside.

Tell the examiner

Honest exam rules

  • Tell the whole truth. Don't add to it. Don't shrink it.
  • Describe a normal day AND your worst days. Say how often the worst days happen.
  • Answer the question you were asked. Skip the habit of saying 'I'm fine' or 'it's not that bad' when it is.
  • It's OK to read from your log or notes. Hand the examiner a copy if they will take it.
  • Don't act out symptoms or guess at numbers. If you don't know or can't remember, say so.
  • If something hurts or makes you worse during the exam, say so right then.
  • Fraud warning: knowingly giving VA false information is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. 1001) and can cost you all your benefits (38 U.S.C. 6103). Honest, complete answers protect you.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting small surgical scars that hurt. Painful scars count by number, not size.

    Where this comes from: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7804

  • Not asking for separate ratings for each body zone for large scars.

    Where this comes from: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7801 Note (2)

  • Not claiming nerve or muscle damage from the same injury. Those are rated separately.

    Where this comes from: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7800 Note (4); DC 7805

Questions to ask together

A spouse, grown child or friend can read these out loud. Talk about each one before the exam, so nothing gets left out.

  1. How many scars do you have from service, including surgery scars?
  2. Do any of them hurt, even when clothes rub them?
  3. Do any crack, blister, or open up?
  4. Do any make it hard to move a joint?
  5. Do we have clear photos with a ruler next to each scar?

Rule changes you may hear about

Today's rules (above) are what VA uses unless a change is final.

  • Proposed, not law yet

    VA proposed adding a note to DC 7804 saying VA still requires objective evidence of pain to rate a scar as painful.

    Where it stands: Proposed Sept 29, 2025; comments closed Nov 28, 2025. Not final as of Oct 30, 2026.

    90 FR 46542 (Sept 29, 2025), RIN 2900-AS37

Sources

Checked against VA's rules on October 30, 2026.

Helping The Brave doesn't file or prepare claims. This guide is free education, not medical or legal advice. The VA examiner measures and VA decides your rating.