Scar(s), unstable or painful (DC 7804) | VA Rating Tool
| Diagnostic Code | 7804 |
|---|---|
| Category | The Skin |
| Also Known As | painful scars, scars, Unstable or painful, unstable scars, scar pain, tender scars |
| CFR Section | 38 CFR § 4.118 |
📊 What Veterans Actually Get
10%
Most Common Rating
70.0%
of Vets Get This
85.0%
Approval Rate
#15
Most Claimed
Painful or unstable scars are most commonly rated at 10% per scar. Scars have an 85% approval rate. Each qualifying scar is rated separately — 5 painful scars = five 10% ratings.
Pro Tip: Every surgical scar from a service-connected surgery can be rated. Knee surgery scars, back surgery scars, appendectomy — if the surgery was service-connected, the scar is too. Ask the examiner to document EACH scar.
Next Steps for This Condition
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | At least one of the following |
| 60% | Constant or near-constant systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period |
| 30% | At least one of the following |
| 30% | Five or more scars that are unstable or painful |
| 20% | Three or four scars that are unstable or painful |
| 10% | At least one of the following |
| 10% | One or two scars that are unstable or painful |
| 0% | No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following |
Conditions Secondary to This
1 linksMajor depressive disorder
9434
Painful and disfiguring scars cause depression through chronic pain, body image distress, and social withdrawal.
This May Be Secondary To
No upstream secondary-condition mappings point to this diagnostic code yet.
Disclaimer: Secondary connections shown are based on commonly established medical links. Individual claims require medical evidence. Consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney.