Scars and Burns Claims Guide

How Scars Are Rated, and Why You Can Get Several Ratings

Scars are rated by five codes that each capture a different problem: whether the scar is painful or unstable, how much area it covers, whether it causes facial disfigurement, and any other functional effect. Because each code compensates a different thing, a single scar (or set of scars) can earn more than one rating at the same time, that is not pyramiding.

Painful or Unstable Scars, DC 7804

This is the workhorse code, and it does not care where the scar is or how big it is. "Unstable" means the skin covering breaks down repeatedly.

If one or more scars are both unstable and painful, add 10% to the rating based on the count.

Scars Rated by Area (Not Head, Face, or Neck)

Deep or nonlinear scars, DC 7801 (with underlying soft-tissue damage)

Superficial nonlinear scars, DC 7802 (no soft-tissue damage)

A single 10% rating when the area is 144 square inches (929 sq cm) or more. That is the maximum under this code.

Head, Face, or Neck Scars, DC 7800

Scars and burns of the head, face, or neck are rated on disfigurement, using the "8 characteristics of disfigurement" (things like a scar 5 inches or longer; at least one-quarter inch wide; raised or depressed surface; stuck to underlying tissue; abnormal color or texture or missing tissue over an area larger than 6 square inches). In general terms:

Other Effects, DC 7805

If a scar limits function, for example a scar across a joint that restricts motion, or one that causes another disabling effect not already counted, DC 7805 says to also rate that effect under the appropriate body-system code. So a scar near the elbow that limits arm motion can earn a scar rating and a separate limitation-of-motion rating. See the range-of-motion guide.

How Burns Are Handled

Burns are rated through their residuals, the scarring and any functional loss they leave behind, using the same scar codes above. A second-degree burn that healed into a painful scar is rated under 7804; a large deep burn scar is rated by area under 7801; a burn to the face is rated for disfigurement under 7800. If the burn left active skin disease (such as ongoing dermatitis over a body-surface area), that can be rated under the skin-disease code DC 7806 instead. The key is to capture every distinct residual, scars, disfigurement, painful areas, and lost function, since they can be rated together.

Getting Scars and Burns Service Connected

• Direct: a burn, laceration, shrapnel or blast injury, or other wound during service, with the scar as the current residual.
• Secondary, surgical scars: if you had surgery for a service-connected condition, the surgical scar is itself service-connected. A painful surgical scar is an easy, commonly-missed add-on. See service connection.
• Aggravation: service worsened a pre-existing scar or skin condition.

Evidence That Wins

• Measurements. Length, width, and area in square inches or square centimeters for each scar, the area codes are measured precisely.
• Whether each scar is painful and/or unstable, and how many there are, this drives DC 7804.
• Color photographs, especially for head/face/neck disfigurement claims.
• Any functional limitation a scar causes (restricted motion, etc.) so DC 7805 and the body-system code can both apply.
• The scars/disfigurement DBQ, which captures count, location, size, stability, pain, and characteristics. See the DBQ guide.

Frequently Asked Questions