C&P Exam for Burn scar of the head, face, or neck; scar of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800)

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Diagnostic code: 7800Condition: Burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neckRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.118DBQ: DBQ DERM Scars

Which form the examiner uses

For burn scar of the head, face, or neck; scar of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQ DERM Scars (public PDF on VA.gov)

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What to expect at your C&P exam

A scar exam is a measurement exam. The examiner measures and counts your scars, checks whether they are painful or unstable, and photographs them, then rates them under 38 CFR 4.118.

1Initial interview (history)

How and when the scars formed (injury, surgery, or burns).
Whether they are painful, and how often.
Whether the skin breaks open or is unstable.
How they limit movement or function, and the effect on daily life.

2Physical examination

Measuring the length and width (or area) of each scar.
Counting how many scars there are and noting their location.
Checking whether each scar is painful, unstable (the skin breaks down), deep, or limits motion.
For head, face, or neck scars, checking the eight features of disfigurement.
Photographing the scars.

3Functional assessment

Whether scars are painful or unstable, how many there are, and their total size, which set the rating.
Whether a scar limits the motion of a nearby joint or otherwise affects function.
Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.118 (scar DCs 7800, 7801, 7802, 7804, 7805).

Test explainers open MedlinePlus (NIH National Library of Medicine), or Wikipedia where MedlinePlus has no matching page. This describes what happens and what is measured, not how to influence a result.

What the examiner records (full DBQ form)

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates scars anywhere on the body and disfigurement of the head, face, or neck, including measurements, characteristics, and functional impact.

How DC 7800 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I and III-IV of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Section II covers an unrelated condition on this DBQ and is skipped.

3 of 4 sections apply to DC 7800 on this DBQ

DIAGNOSIS (Section I) SCARS OR OTHER DISFIGUREMENT OF THE HEAD, FACE OR NECK (Section III) MISCELLANEOUS (Section IV)

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)

Does the Veteran have one or more scars anywhere on the body, or disfigurement of the head, face, or neck?
Diagnosis #1
Diagnosis #1 ICD Code
Diagnosis #1 Date of diagnosis
Diagnosis #2
Diagnosis #2 ICD Code
Diagnosis #2 Date of diagnosis
Diagnosis #3
Diagnosis #3 ICD Code
Diagnosis #3 Date of diagnosis
Does the Veteran have any scars on the trunk or extremities (regions other than the head, face, or neck)?
Does the Veteran have any scars or disfigurement of the head, face, or neck?

SCARS OF THE TRUNK AND EXTREMITIES (Section II)

A. Describe the history (including cause/origin and course) of the Veteran's scar(s) of the trunk or extremities (brief summary):
B. Are any of the scars of the trunk or extremities painful?
If yes, specify the number of painful scars: 1 2 3 4 5 or more
Describe the pain (if there are multiple painful scars, be sure to adequately identify which scars are painful):
C. Are any of the scars of the trunk or extremities unstable, with frequent loss of covering of skin over the scar?
If yes, specify the number of unstable scars: 1 2 3 4 5 or more
Describe the loss of covering of skin over the scar (if there are multiple unstable scars, be sure to adequately identify which scars are unstable):
D. Are any of the scars of the trunk or extremities due to burns?
Burn scar #1: Full thickness or sub-dermal / Deep partial thickness / Less than deep partial thickness
Burn scar #2: Full thickness or sub-dermal / Deep partial thickness / Less than deep partial thickness

SCARS OR OTHER DISFIGUREMENT OF THE HEAD, FACE OR NECK (Section III)

A. Describe the history (including cause/origin and course) of the Veteran's scar(s) or other disfigurement of the head, face or neck (brief summary):
B. Are any of the scars of the head, face or neck painful?
If yes, specify the number of painful scars: 1 2 3 4 5 or more
Describe the pain (if there are multiple painful scars, be sure to adequately identify which scars are painful):
C. Are any of the scars of the head, face or neck unstable, with frequent loss of covering of skin over the scar?
If yes, specify the number of unstable scars: 1 2 3 4 5 or more
Describe the loss of covering of skin over the scar (if there are multiple unstable scars, be sure to adequately identify which scars are unstable):
D. Are any of the scars of the head, face or neck due to burns?
Burn scar #1: Full thickness or sub-dermal / Deep partial thickness / Less than deep partial thickness
Burn scar #2: Full thickness or sub-dermal / Deep partial thickness / Less than deep partial thickness

MISCELLANEOUS (Section IV)

A. Do any of the scars (regardless of location) or disfigurement of the head, face or neck result in limitation of function (to include limitation of motion)?
If yes, indicate which scars (regardless of location) or disfigurement of the head, face or neck are causing the limitation and describe the specific limitations:
B. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs and/or symptoms (such as muscle or nerve damage) associated with any scar (regardless of location) or disfigurement of the head, face or neck?
If yes, describe (brief summary):
C. Comments (if any):
Were color photographs for any scar(s) or disfiguring condition taken?
Does the Veteran's scar(s) (regardless of location) or disfigurement of the head, face or neck impact his or her ability to work?
If yes, describe impact of the Veteran's scar(s) (regardless of location) or disfigurement of the head, face or neck, providing one or more examples:
Remarks (if any – please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).

Rating Levels for DC 7800

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 7800

The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.

VA examination: appeared in 1246 granted decisions (2790 denied; 4036 decided total)
Service treatment records: appeared in 858 granted decisions (1845 denied; 2703 decided total)
Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 700 granted decisions (1269 denied; 1969 decided total)
Private medical opinion: appeared in 315 granted decisions (660 denied; 975 decided total)
Nexus letter: appeared in 154 granted decisions (184 denied; 338 decided total)
Medical literature: appeared in 32 granted decisions (72 denied; 104 decided total)

What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 7800

The themes below were extracted by clustering 500 grant-factor sentences from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Frequencies indicate how often each theme appeared in the sample. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not advice or strategy for any specific claim.

22% Benefit of the doubt doctrine cited in denial
The Board noted that because the preponderance of evidence weighed against the claim, the benefit of the doubt doctrine was inapplicable and the claim was denied.
112 of 500 sample sentences
20% Benefit of the doubt applied to grant or increase rating
The Board resolved the benefit of the doubt in the Veteran's favor and found the evidence supported granting service connection or assigning a specific higher disability rating.
98 of 500 sample sentences
17% Evidence in equipoise or approximate balance noted
The Board found the positive and negative evidence was at least in relative equipoise or approximate balance on a material issue, triggering application of the benefit of the doubt rule.
87 of 500 sample sentences
13% Legal standard for benefit of the doubt doctrine stated
The Board or decision cited the statutory or regulatory standard providing that when evidence is in approximate balance on any material issue, the benefit of the doubt is given to the claimant.
64 of 500 sample sentences
13% Medical nexus opinion of at least as likely as not cited
An examiner or medical professional opined that a Veteran's current disability was at least as likely as not caused by, related to, or aggravated by an in-service injury, event, or disease.
63 of 500 sample sentences
5% Scar-specific rating finding cited under diagnostic code
The Board recorded a finding that a particular scar disability — including facial, head, neck, or other scars — warranted a specific disability rating under a relevant diagnostic code after resolving the evidence.
26 of 500 sample sentences
4% Examiner request for at least-as-likely-as-not opinion noted
The Board or remand order recorded a request directing an examiner to provide an opinion on whether a disability was at least as likely as not related to service or a service-connected condition.
19 of 500 sample sentences
3% Negative or unfavorable nexus opinion recorded
An examiner opined that a claimed disability was not at least as likely as not related to service, a service-connected condition, or an in-service event, weighing against the claim.
14 of 500 sample sentences
2% TDIU or unemployability finding noted
The Board recorded a finding, after applying the benefit of the doubt or weighing the evidence, that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment warranting TDIU.
12 of 500 sample sentences
1% Benefit of the doubt consideration acknowledged without outcome change
The Board acknowledged it considered the benefit of the doubt doctrine in reaching its conclusions but did not identify it as dispositive to the outcome.
5 of 500 sample sentences

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.