Body system: SkinRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.118DBQ: DBQ DERM Skin Diseases
DC 7809 covers discoid lupus erythematosus, the skin form of lupus. The VA rates it under the General Rating Formula for the Skin at 60%, 30%, 10% or 0% by how much of the body or exposed skin is affected and by the treatment needed (38 CFR 4.118). The regulation lists subacute cutaneous lupus under DC 7821, not here, and head, face or neck involvement is rated as disfigurement under DC 7800 or as scars instead, whichever is the predominant disability.
Rating levels
- 60% — You qualify for 60% if your discoid lupus (or SCLE) lesions cover more than 40% of your entire body OR more than 40% of exposed areas (face, neck, scalp, hands), OR if you have needed continuous or near-continuous systemic therapy — corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy/PUVA, or other immunosuppressives — over the past 12 months. This is the maximum schedular rating for DC 7809.
- 30% — You qualify for 30% if your discoid lupus (or SCLE) lesions cover 20-40% of your entire body OR 20-40% of exposed areas, OR if you have needed systemic therapy for a total of 6 weeks or more (but not constantly) over the past 12 months.
- 10% — You qualify for 10% if your discoid lupus (or SCLE) lesions cover 5-19% of your entire body OR 5-19% of exposed areas, OR if you have needed intermittent systemic therapy for less than 6 weeks over the past 12 months.
- 0% — You qualify for 0% (noncompensable) if you have needed no more than topical therapy (creams, ointments, sunscreens) over the past 12 months AND lesions affect less than 5% of your entire body OR less than 5% of exposed areas.