Body system: SkinRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.118DBQ: DBQ DERM Skin Diseases
Chloracne is a severe form of acne caused by exposure to certain industrial chemicals, including dioxin found in Agent Orange. The VA rates chloracne from 0% to 30% based on how deep the acne is and where it appears on your body. Higher ratings go to veterans with deep, inflamed nodules and cysts affecting larger areas of the face and neck, or sensitive areas like armpits and groin.
Rating levels
- 30% — You qualify for this rating if you have severe acne with deep, painful bumps under the skin (nodules) and pus-filled lumps (cysts) that cover at least 40% of your face and neck area. The acne must be the deep, inflamed type that goes beneath the surface of your skin, not just surface pimples or blackheads.
- 20% — You have severe, deep acne with inflamed bumps and pus-filled cysts located in areas where skin touches skin - like your armpits, groin area, under the breasts, or between your fingers and toes. The acne must be the deep, painful type that forms nodules (hard lumps under the skin) and cysts (pockets of pus), not just surface pimples or blackheads.
- 10% — You qualify for this rating if you have severe acne with deep, painful bumps and pus-filled cysts (infected sores under the skin) that covers less than 40% of your face and neck area. You also qualify if this type of severe acne affects other parts of your body like your chest, back, arms, or legs, but not areas where skin touches skin like armpits or groin.
- 0% — You qualify for this rating if you have surface-level acne anywhere on your body, including blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), small red bumps (papules), or pus-filled bumps (pustules). The acne only affects the top layer of your skin and can cover any amount of area, from just a few spots to widespread breakouts.