Alopecia areata (DC 7831)

Body system: SkinRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.118

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your hair follicles, causing hair loss in patches or completely. The VA has a simple two-tier rating system for this condition: you get 10% if you've lost all your body hair (not just your head), or 0% if the hair loss is limited to just your scalp and face. Even at 0%, you're still service-connected, which can be important for future claims and benefits.

Rating levels

  • 10% — You qualify for this rating if you have lost all the hair on your body due to alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss in patches that can progress to complete hair loss). This includes losing all hair on your scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and any other body hair. The hair loss must be complete across your entire body, not just partial hair loss in some areas.
  • 0% — You qualify for this rating level when you have hair loss from alopecia areata (a condition where your immune system attacks hair follicles) that only affects your scalp and face. The hair loss must be limited to just these areas and not spread to other parts of your body like your arms, legs, or torso.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.