Body system: SkinRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.118DBQ: DBQ DERM Skin Diseases
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes red, scaly patches. The VA rates DC 7816 under the General Rating Formula for the Skin (38 CFR § 4.118): 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60% depending on the percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected by characteristic lesions, and whether systemic therapy (corticosteroids, biologics, PUVA, or other immunosuppressives) was required over the past 12 months. Complications such as psoriatic arthritis and other manifestations (oral mucosa, nails) are rated SEPARATELY under their own diagnostic codes.
Rating levels
- 60% — You qualify for 60% if your psoriasis is severe enough to meet either: characteristic plaques cover more than 40% of your entire body or more than 40% of your exposed areas (face, neck, hands); or you have needed strong systemic medications (corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, PUVA, or other immunosuppressives) almost constantly over the past 12 months.
- 30% — You qualify for 30% if either: characteristic psoriasis plaques cover 20% to 40% of your entire body or 20% to 40% of your exposed areas; or you have needed systemic medications (corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, PUVA, or other immunosuppressives) for a total of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12 months.
- 10% — You qualify for 10% if any of these apply: psoriasis plaques cover at least 5% but less than 20% of your entire body; lesions cover at least 5% but less than 20% of your exposed areas; or you have needed intermittent systemic medications (corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, PUVA, or other immunosuppressives) for a total of less than 6 weeks over the past 12 months.
- 0% — You qualify for 0% (non-compensable) if both: you have needed no more than topical creams or ointments over the past 12 months; and your psoriasis plaques cover less than 5% of either your entire body or your exposed areas. The condition is service-connected but not currently disabling enough for monthly compensation.
- -1% — Psoriasis often comes with related conditions. Psoriatic arthritis (joint inflammation tied to psoriasis) is rated SEPARATELY under the arthritis codes, not bundled into your skin rating. Other psoriasis manifestations on the oral mucosa (mouth lining) or nails are likewise rated separately under whichever diagnostic code best matches the affected tissue. This means you can stack a skin rating under DC 7816 with an arthritis rating, a nail-disorder rating, or an oral-mucosa rating, each evaluated on its own criteria.