C&P Exam for Benign skin neoplasms (DC 7819)

Diagnostic code: 7819Condition: Benign skin neoplasmsRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.118DBQ: DBQ DERM Skin Diseases

Which form the examiner uses

For benign skin neoplasms (DC 7819), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

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 the examiner records

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 the diagnosis, history, treatment, physical findings, and functional impact of skin diseases including dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, infections, and skin neoplasms.

How DC 7819 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-IV, VI, and VIII-X of this form. Section VI is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections V and VII cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A CURRENT SKIN CONDITION?
  • Dermatitis or eczema — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Tumors and neoplasms of the skin, including malignant melanoma — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Dermatophytosis (ringworm: of body, tinea corporis; of head, tinea capitis; of feet, tinea pedis; of beard area, tinea barbae; of nails, tinea unguium (onychomycosis); of inguinal area (jock itch), tinea cruris; tinea versicolor) — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Acne — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Psoriasis — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Infectious skin conditions not listed elsewhere (including bacterial, fungal, viral, treponemal and parasitic skin conditions) — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Chronic Urticaria — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Alopecia — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Keratinization skin disorders (including icthyoses, Darier's disease, and palmoplantar keratoderma) — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis) — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Papulosquamous skin disorders not listed elsewhere (including lichen planus, large or small plaque parapsoriasis, pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA), lymphomatoid papulosus, mycosis fungoides and pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP)) — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Hyperhidrosis — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Vitiligo — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Bullous disorders (including pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceous, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, benign chronic familial pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey), and porphyria cutanea tarda) — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Cutaneous manifestations of collagen-vascular diseases not listed elsewhere (including scleroderma, calcinosis cutis, and dermatomyositis) — Diagnosis / ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Chloracne — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Discoid lupus or subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Erythema multiforme (toxic epidermal necrolysis) — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Primary cutaneous vasculitis — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #1 — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #2 — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
  • Other diagnosis #3 — ICD Code / Date of diagnosis
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. DESCRIBE THE HISTORY (including onset and course) OF THE VETERAN'S CURRENT SKIN CONDITIONS (brief summary)
  • 2B. RESOLVED SKIN CONDITIONS - DID THE VETERAN PREVIOUSLY HAVE A SKIN CONDITION THAT IS NOW COMPLETELY RESOLVED AND NO LONGER REQUIRES TREATMENT OF ANY TYPE? (brief summary)
  • 2C. COMMENTS, IF ANY
TREATMENT (Section III)
  • 3A. HAS THE VETERAN BEEN TREATED WITH MEDICATION IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS FOR ANY SKIN CONDITION?
  • Corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications — list medication(s) / condition / route of administration / total duration of use in past 12 months
  • Antihistamines — list medication(s) / condition / route of administration / total duration of use in past 12 months
  • Retinoids — list medication(s) / condition / route of administration / total duration of use in past 12 months
  • Sympathomimetics — list medication(s) / condition / route of administration / total duration of use in past 12 months
  • Biologics — list medication(s) / condition / route of administration / total duration of use in past 12 months
  • Other medication — list medication(s) / condition / route of administration / total duration of use in past 12 months
  • NOTE: If a medication is used for more than one condition, provide names of all conditions, name of medication used for each condition, and frequency of use for each condition
  • 3B. HAS THE VETERAN HAD ANY TREATMENTS OR PROCEDURES OTHER THAN SYSTEMIC OR TOPICAL MEDICATIONS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS FOR ANY SKIN CONDITION?
  • Phototherapy such as ultraviolet-B light (UVB) treatment — date of most recent treatment / condition treated / total duration in past 12 months
  • Photochemotherapy (to include PUVA (psoralen with long wave ultraviolet A light)) treatment — date of most recent treatment / condition treated / total duration in past 12 months
  • Electron beam therapy — date of most recent treatment / condition treated / total duration in past 12 months
  • Intensive light therapy — date of most recent treatment / condition treated / total duration in past 12 months
  • Other treatment (Specify treatment) — date of most recent treatment / condition treated / total duration in past 12 months
PHYSICAL EXAM (Section IV)
  • 4A. INDICATE THE VETERAN'S VISIBLE CHARACTERISTIC LESIONS DUE TO THE SKIN CONDITION(S); INDICATE THE APPROXIMATE TOTAL BODY AREA AND APPROXIMATE TOTAL EXPOSED BODY AREA (face, neck and hands) AFFECTED ON CURRENT EXAMINATION
  • Dermatitis — Total body area (None / <5% / 5% to <20% / 20% to 40% / >40%) / EXPOSED area (None / <5% / 5% to <20% / 20% to 40% / >40%)
  • Eczema — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Dermatophytosis — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Bullous disorders — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Cutaneous manifestations of collagen vascular disorders not listed elsewhere — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Psoriasis — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Infections of the skin not listed elsewhere — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Papulosquamous disorders not listed elsewhere — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Diseases of keratinization — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Discoid lupus erythematosus — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Other (Indicate diagnosis) — Total body area / EXPOSED area
  • Does the Veteran have a skin condition currently without any visible characteristic lesions at the time of the examination?
  • 4B. FOR EACH SKIN CONDITION CHECKED IN ITEM 4A, GIVE SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS AND DESCRIBE APPEARANCE AND LOCATION
SPECIFIC SKIN CONDITIONS (Section V)
  • 5A. INDICATE THE VETERAN'S SPECIFIC SKIN CONDITIONS AND COMPLETE ALL APPLICABLE SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS
  • Acne — Superficial acne (comedones, papules, pustules) of any extent / Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) / Affects less than 40% of face and neck / Affects 40% or more of face and neck / Affects body areas other than face and neck
  • Chloracne — Superficial acne / Deep acne / Affects less than 40% of face and neck / Affects 40% or more of face and neck / Affects intertriginous areas / Affects non-intertriginous body areas other than face and neck
  • Vitiligo — (If checked, indicate areas affected by vitiligo): Exposed areas affected / No exposed areas affected
  • Scarring alopecia — (If checked, indicate percent of scalp affected): <20% / 20% to 40% / >40%
  • Alopecia areata — (If checked, indicate amount of hair loss): Hair loss limited to scalp and face / Loss of all body hair / Other, describe
  • Hyperhidrosis — (If checked, indicate severity): Able to handle paper or tools after treatment / Unresponsive to treatment; unable to handle paper or tools
  • Urticaria, chronic — Has the Veteran ever had a break in treatment? / If 'Yes,' did he/she experience symptoms at least twice a week for six weeks or more?
  • Urticaria, chronic — Indicate the type of treatment the Veteran is currently receiving: First line treatment (Antihistamines / Other) / Second line treatment (Corticosteroids / Sympathomimetics / Leukotriene inhibitors / Neutrophil inhibitors / Thyroid hormone / Other) / Third line treatment (Plasmapheresis / Immunotherapy / Immunosuppressives / Other)
  • Vasculitis, primary cutaneous — Frequency of documented, vasculitis episodes occurring over the past 12 months: None / 1 to 3 / 4 or more
  • Vasculitis, primary cutaneous — Has the Veteran required the use of systemic immunosuppressive therapy over the past 12 months? / If 'Yes,' check the applicable frequency: Intermittent / Continuous
  • Vasculitis, primary cutaneous — Has the Veteran continued to have vasculitis episodes despite continuous systemic immunosuppressive therapy over the past 12 months?
  • Erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis) — Is there erythroderma/exfoliative dermatitis with any extent of involvement of the skin? / Generalized involvement with systemic manifestations / Generalized involvement without systemic manifestations / No current treatment due to documented history of treatment failure with 2 or more treatment regimens / No current treatment due to documented history of treatment failure with 1 treatment regimen
  • Erythema multiforme; toxic epidermal necrolysis — Mucosal involvement: Impairing mastication / Not impairing mastication / Without recurrent episodes / One to three episodes over the past 12-month period / Four or more episodes over the past 12-month period
  • Erythema multiforme; toxic epidermal necrolysis — Palmar involvement: Impairing use of hands / Not impairing use of hands / Without recurrent episodes / One to three episodes over the past 12-month period / Four or more episodes over the past 12-month period
  • Erythema multiforme; toxic epidermal necrolysis — Plantar involvement: Impairing ambulation / Not impairing ambulation / Without recurrent episodes / One to three episodes over the past 12-month period / Four or more episodes over the past 12-month period
  • Erythema multiforme; toxic epidermal necrolysis — Indicate the type of treatment the Veteran is currently receiving: Ongoing immunosuppressive therapy / Intermittent systemic therapy (immunosuppressives, antihistamines, or sympathomimetics) / Continuous systemic medication for control
  • Veteran does not have any of the specific skin conditions listed above
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VI)
  • 6A. Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section?
  • 6B. Is the neoplasm: Benign / Malignant
  • Active / In remission
  • Primary / Secondary (metastatic) (if secondary, indicate the primary site, if known)
  • 6C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases?
  • Treatment completed
  • Surgery — If checked, describe / Date(s) of surgery
  • Radiation therapy — Date of most recent treatment / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • Antineoplastic chemotherapy — Date of most recent treatment / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • Other therapeutic procedure — If checked, describe procedure / Date of most recent procedure
  • Other therapeutic treatment — If checked, describe treatment / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion
  • 6D. Does the Veteran currently have any residuals or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above?
  • 6E. If there are additional benign or malignant neoplasms or metastases related to any of the diagnoses in the diagnosis section, describe using the above format
SCARRING AND DISFIGUREMENT (Section VII)
  • 7A. DO ANY OF THE VETERAN'S SKIN CONDITIONS CAUSE SCARRING (REGARDLESS OF LOCATION), OR DISFIGUREMENT OF THE HEAD, FACE OR NECK?
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS (Section VIII)
  • 8A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS RELATED TO ANY CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS SECTION ABOVE?
  • (If 'Yes,' describe and complete the appropriate DBQ)
  • 8B. COMMENTS, IF ANY
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section IX)
  • 9A. DO ANY OF THE VETERAN'S SKIN CONDITIONS IMPACT HIS OR HER ABILITY TO WORK?
  • (If 'Yes,' describe impact of each of the Veteran's skin conditions, providing one or more examples)
REMARKS (Section X)
  • 10A. REMARKS (If any)

Rating Levels for DC 7819

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.

DC 7800

What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 7819

The themes below were extracted by clustering 478 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.

  1. 28% Benefit of the doubt doctrine cited as legal standard
    The Board or examiner cited the statutory benefit of the doubt doctrine, noting that when evidence is in approximate balance or equipoise the claimant prevails, as a general legal principle applied to the decision.
    134 of 478 sample sentences
  2. 15% Benefit of the doubt applied to grant or increase rating
    The Board affirmatively resolved the benefit of the doubt in the Veteran's favor to grant service connection, assign a compensable rating, or award a higher evaluation under a specific diagnostic code.
    74 of 478 sample sentences
  3. 15% Preponderance of evidence against claim, benefit of doubt inapplicable
    The Board found the preponderance of evidence weighed against the claim or a higher rating, rendering the benefit of the doubt doctrine inapplicable and requiring denial.
    71 of 478 sample sentences
  4. 12% Examiner nexus opinion cited as at least as likely as not
    A VA or private examiner opined that the Veteran's current disability was at least as likely as not incurred in, caused by, or aggravated during military service.
    55 of 478 sample sentences
  5. 9% Evidence found in equipoise supporting grant of claim
    The Board determined that the lay and medical evidence was at least in relative equipoise on a material issue, supporting a grant of service connection or an increased rating.
    43 of 478 sample sentences
  6. 7% Skin or scar disability specifically found service-connected or ratable
    The Board found that the evidence supported service connection or a compensable rating for a specific skin condition, scar, neoplasm, callus, or related benign growth under a skin diagnostic code.
    32 of 478 sample sentences
  7. 6% Preponderance of evidence standard and adjudication framework noted
    The Board articulated the overarching adjudication standard — that VA must determine whether evidence supports the claim, is in equipoise, or preponderates against it — as a framework for the decision.
    31 of 478 sample sentences
  8. 4% Examiner opinion requested on nexus or etiology
    The Board directed that a VA examiner be asked to opine whether a current disability is at least as likely as not related to service or a service-connected condition.
    18 of 478 sample sentences
  9. 3% Examiner nexus opinion cited as negative or not at least as likely
    A VA examiner opined that a disability was not at least as likely as not related to service, caused by a service-connected condition, or aggravated during service.
    12 of 478 sample sentences
  10. 2% Weight of evidence found to support claim on preponderance
    The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence affirmatively supported the claim, warranting a grant of service connection or a specific disability rating without needing to invoke the benefit of the doubt.
    8 of 478 sample sentences
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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.