The VA disability rating for scars ranges from 10% to 80% under 38 CFR §4.118. The VA rates scars using diagnostic codes 7800 through 7805. Your rating depends on where the scar is, how big it is, and whether it causes pain or other problems. This guide explains each code in plain language.
Scars are common in service-connected claims. They can come from surgery, burns, shrapnel, or other injuries — including surgery to remove a melanoma or other skin cancer, where the scar rating is what carries the claim once treatment ends. A scar can also be a secondary condition linked to another rated injury. Understanding the rules helps you file a stronger claim.
How the VA Rates Scars Under 38 CFR 4.118
The VA rates scars under 38 CFR 4.118 using five main diagnostic codes. Each code covers a different type of scar. The codes are 7800, 7801, 7802, 7804, and 7805. Where the scar sits on your body decides which code applies.
Code 7800 covers the head, face, and neck. Codes 7801 and 7802 cover scars on the rest of the body. Code 7804 covers painful or unstable scars anywhere. Code 7805 covers other effects a scar may cause.
You can learn more about how percentages work on our VA disability percentages page. Scars are just one part of the larger VA disability conditions list.
Scar Diagnostic Code Rating Table (DC 7800-7805)
The table below maps each scar diagnostic code to its rating criteria. Use it to find which code matches your scar. The percentages come directly from 38 CFR 4.118.
| Diagnostic Code | Type of Scar | Rating Range | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7800 | Head, face, or neck (burns and disfigurement) | 10% - 80% | Based on visible tissue loss and the 8 characteristics of disfigurement |
| 7801 | Deep, nonlinear scars (not head/face/neck) | 10% - 40% | By area; 10% at 6 sq. in. up to 40% at 144 sq. in. or more |
| 7802 | Superficial, nonlinear scars (not head/face/neck) | 10% | Area of 144 sq. in. (929 sq. cm.) or greater |
| 7804 | Unstable or painful scars (any location) | 10% - 30% | 10% for 1-2 scars, 20% for 3-4, 30% for 5 or more |
| 7805 | Other effects of scars | Varies | Rated under another code for any disabling effect not covered above |
DC 7800: Burn Scar VA Rating for the Head, Face, and Neck
Diagnostic code 7800 covers scars and disfigurement of the head, face, or neck. It is the only scar code that can reach an 80% rating. The VA rates it using the eight characteristics of disfigurement.
A 10% rating needs one characteristic. A 30% rating needs two or three, or one feature affected. A 50% rating needs four or five, or two features affected. An 80% rating needs six or more, or gross distortion of three or more features.
The 8 Characteristics of Disfigurement
The eight characteristics of disfigurement decide the rating under DC 7800. The VA counts how many apply to your scar. More characteristics mean a higher rating.
- Scar 5 or more inches (13 cm) long
- Scar at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) wide at its widest part
- Surface raised or depressed when touched
- Scar stuck to the tissue underneath
- Skin a different color over an area larger than 6 square inches
- Skin texture abnormal over an area larger than 6 square inches
- Soft tissue missing over an area larger than 6 square inches
- Skin hard and inflexible over an area larger than 6 square inches
DC 7801 and 7802: Scars on the Body
Diagnostic codes 7801 and 7802 cover scars on areas other than the head, face, or neck. The VA rates these by the total area the scar covers. Code 7801 is for deep scars, and 7802 is for surface scars.
For deep scars (7801), a 10% rating starts at 6 square inches. The rating climbs to 20% at 12 square inches, 30% at 72 square inches, and 40% at 144 square inches. A deep scar is one with damage to the tissue under the skin.
For superficial scars (7802), the VA gives a single 10% rating. This applies when the scar covers 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or more. A superficial scar does not damage deeper tissue.
Painful Scar VA Rating Under DC 7804
A painful scar VA rating falls under diagnostic code 7804. The VA rates it by the number of scars that are painful or unstable. The location does not matter for this code.
One or two painful or unstable scars rate 10%. Three or four scars rate 20%. Five or more scars rate 30%. The VA adds an extra 10% if a scar is both unstable and painful.
An unstable scar is one that frequently loses its skin covering. A painful scar hurts on its own or when touched. A 2025 proposed rule may soon require objective evidence of pain for this code, so a doctor's exam note matters.
DC 7805: Other Effects and Limitation of Function
Diagnostic code 7805 covers any disabling effect a scar causes that the other codes do not. The VA rates these effects under whatever code fits best. A common example is loss of motion in a joint.
Here is a key point many veterans miss. A painful scar under 7804 can be rated separately from the limitation of function under 7805. These two ratings then combine using the VA's combined ratings table.
For example, a scar on your elbow might be painful and also limit how far you bend the arm. You could get a rating for the pain and a separate rating for the lost motion. This can raise your total rating.
What the VA OIG Painful Scar Review Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) estimated that 38 percent of painful-scar decisions made from June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025 had at least one error, about 17,900 decisions. At least 920 of those errors caused overpayments, and the OIG review of painful scar decisions says overpayments will keep accruing until corrective actions are made. A follow-up sample of 30 decisions in January 2026 showed a 43 percent error rate.
| Finding | Number |
|---|---|
| Estimated error rate, June 2024 to May 2025 | 38 percent |
| Decisions with at least one error | About 17,900 |
| Errors that caused overpayments | At least 920 |
| Questioned costs from overpayments | $5,584,470 |
| Error rate in the January 2026 follow-up sample of 30 | 43 percent |
The 38 percent figure is an estimate built from two statistical samples: decisions granting service connection for painful scars and decisions increasing ratings. It does not tell you whether your own decision is one of the roughly 17,900, and VA has not said how affected veterans will be told. The report does not count underpayments or say whether any veteran will be asked to repay money. VA's press secretary told Stars and Stripes that the OIG used a small sample to draw conclusions about thousands of other decisions, and VA said it will re-examine the incorrect decisions "in the coming months."
The OIG named three causes of error. The first two are that claims processors relied on the veteran's own report of pain, with no objective evidence of pain documented during the physical examination, and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) systems did not consistently flag pyramiding, which means rating the same symptoms under more than one diagnostic code.
The third is a missing evaluation: some scars were already service connected and later became painful, and those scars did not get a separate evaluation under diagnostic code (DC) 7804. The VA appeals process guide explains how rating decisions are challenged.
VBA concurred with all three OIG recommendations. One recommendation is to review and correct the identified decisions so they comply with 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 4.118 and the Adjudication Procedures Manual. The OIG marked its recommendation to revise the Scars/Disfigurement disability benefits questionnaire (DBQ) closed on October 21, 2026, and VBA projects the revised DBQ will be released January 10, 2027.
VA has not published guidance for affected veterans, and nothing in the OIG report shows what a particular veteran will owe. If a letter arrives about a changed rating or a debt, read it carefully, because the letter explains your options, and act before any deadline printed in it. Talk to an accredited representative, such as a veterans service organization (VSO), a claims agent, or an appeals attorney. If the letter is about a debt, start with the VA overpayment debt guide.
Evidence and the C&P Exam for Scar Claims
The most important evidence for a scar claim is the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. The examiner measures each scar and records its location. They note the length, width, and whether the scar is painful or unstable.
Photographs are strongly recommended, especially for disfigurement under DC 7800. Clear photos help the rater see the scar's size and appearance. Bring your own photos in case the exam does not capture everything.
Tell the examiner about every scar and every symptom. Mention pain, instability, and any limits on movement. Our C&P exam tips guide can help you prepare. Scars also often appear with other skin issues like dermatitis.
Common Scar-Claim Mistakes to Avoid
The most common scar-claim mistake is letting the C&P examiner miss a scar or a symptom. The VA rates only what the exam documents. Speak up about every scar, even small ones.
Veterans also forget that multiple scars can stack. Five or more painful scars reach 30% under DC 7804, not just 10%. Count them all and point each one out.
Another mistake is ignoring limitation of function. A scar that limits motion may earn a separate rating under DC 7805. Describe any stiffness, weakness, or lost range of motion to the examiner.
Finally, do not skip photographs for head, face, or neck scars. Photos often show disfigurement that words alone cannot. Bring dated, well-lit images to your exam.
Conclusion
The VA disability rating for scars depends on location, size, and symptoms under 38 CFR 4.118. Codes 7800, 7801, 7802, 7804, and 7805 each rate different scar types. Painful scars can be rated separately and combined with limitation of function for a higher total.
To estimate how your scar rating combines with other conditions, try our VA disability rating calculator. You can also explore the full VA disability guide to plan your claim.