Scars VA Disability Rating: Criteria, Evidence & Pay

What are scars and how do they affect veterans?

Scars are areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin after injury, surgery, burns, or other trauma. For veterans, scars are among the most visible reminders of military service — resulting from combat injuries, training accidents, surgical procedures, burns, and other service-related trauma. While some scars are primarily cosmetic, many cause ongoing pain, limit range of motion, or create functional impairments.

Veterans carry scars from a wide range of service experiences. Combat wounds, IED blast injuries, and shrapnel create traumatic scars that may be disfiguring and painful. Training injuries, vehicle accidents, and falls leave scars. Surgical scars from treating service-connected conditions — knee replacements, shoulder repairs, spinal surgeries — are themselves ratable conditions. Burn injuries from military operations can cause extensive scarring that limits mobility and function.

The impact of scars goes beyond the physical. Disfiguring scars, particularly on the face and neck, cause significant psychological distress. Veterans report avoidance of social situations, self-consciousness, and depression related to visible scarring. Painful scars can interfere with wearing clothing or equipment, sleeping comfortably, and performing daily activities. Scars that restrict movement can limit employment and recreational options.

VA diagnostic codes for scars

Scars are rated under Diagnostic Codes (DC) 7800 through 7805 per 38 CFR § 4.118, Schedule of Ratings — Skin. Different codes apply depending on the location and characteristics of the scar:

• DC 7800 — Burn scars or scars due to other causes of the head, face, or neck (disfigurement)
• DC 7801 — Deep nonlinear scars not of the head, face, or neck
• DC 7802 — Superficial nonlinear scars not of the head, face, or neck
• DC 7804 — Unstable or painful scars
• DC 7805 — Scars that cause limitation of function (rated under affected body part)

Multiple diagnostic codes can apply to the same veteran if they have different types of scars or scars in different locations.

Rating criteria for scars

Head, face, or neck scars — DC 7800

Disfigurement of the head, face, or neck is rated based on the number of “characteristics of disfigurement” present:

The eight characteristics of disfigurement are:

1. Scar 5 or more inches (13 cm) in length
2. Scar at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) wide at widest part
3. Surface contour of scar elevated or depressed on palpation
4. Scar adherent to underlying tissue
5. Skin hypo- or hyper-pigmented in area exceeding 6 square inches (39 sq cm)
6. Skin texture abnormal (irregular, atrophic, shiny, scaly, etc.) in area exceeding 6 square inches
7. Underlying soft tissue missing in area exceeding 6 square inches
8. Skin indurated and inflexible in area exceeding 6 square inches

Rating levels:

• 10% ($180.42/month) — One characteristic of disfigurement
• 30% ($552.47/month) — Visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features, or two or three characteristics of disfigurement
• 50% ($1,132.90/month) — Visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets, or four or five characteristics of disfigurement
• 80% ($2,102.15/month) — Visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets, or six or more characteristics of disfigurement

Painful scars — DC 7804

• 10% ($180.42/month) — One or two scars that are unstable or painful
• 20% ($356.66/month) — Three or four scars that are unstable or painful
• 30% ($552.47/month) — Five or more scars that are unstable or painful

Note: If one or more scars are both unstable and painful, add 10% to the rating based on the total number of scars.

Deep nonlinear scars (not head/face/neck) — DC 7801

• 10% ($180.42/month) — Area of 6 to 12 square inches (39-77 sq cm)
• 20% ($356.66/month) — Area of 12 to 72 square inches (77-465 sq cm)
• 30% ($552.47/month) — Area of 72 to 144 square inches (465-929 sq cm)
• 40% ($795.84/month) — Area of 144 square inches (929 sq cm) or greater

Scars causing limitation of function — DC 7805

Scars that cause limitation of motion or other functional impairment are rated under the appropriate body part diagnostic code. For example, a scar on the knee that limits flexion would be rated under the knee limitation of motion criteria, potentially resulting in a higher rating.

What evidence do you need?

Service records

• Service treatment records documenting the injury, burn, or surgery that caused the scar
• Incident reports, line of duty determinations, or combat action records
• Surgical reports and post-operative records
• Photographs taken during or shortly after service showing the injury and initial scarring

Medical evidence

• Current photographs of all scars from multiple angles with a ruler or measuring tape for scale
• Dermatology or plastic surgery evaluations documenting scar characteristics (size, depth, adhesion, texture)
• Documentation of pain associated with scars
• Records showing any functional limitation caused by scars (range of motion testing)
• Treatment records for any scar-related care (steroid injections, scar revision surgery, topical treatments)

Nexus letter

If the service connection of the scar is not obvious from service records, a medical opinion explaining how the scar resulted from a service-related injury, surgery, or condition. For scars from treatment of service-connected conditions, the nexus is straightforward.

Buddy statements

Statements from people who can describe the visible impact of your scars, pain you experience, activities limited by the scars, and the psychological impact of disfiguring scars. Fellow service members who witnessed the original injury are particularly valuable.

C&P exam tips for scars

What the examiner evaluates

• Location, size, and shape of each scar (measured in centimeters and square centimeters)
• Depth — superficial versus deep (associated with underlying soft tissue damage)
• Whether scars are painful on examination
• Whether scars are unstable (frequent loss of skin covering)
• Adherence to underlying tissue
• Surface contour (elevated, depressed, or level)
• Skin texture and color changes
• Any limitation of motion or function caused by scars
• For head/face/neck: characteristics of disfigurement and tissue loss

How to prepare

1. Know where all your scars are. Make a complete list of every service-connected scar on your body. Veterans often forget about surgical scars from service-connected treatments.
2. Measure your scars beforehand. Knowing the approximate size helps you verify the examiner is measuring accurately.
3. Report pain honestly. If a scar is painful to touch or causes spontaneous pain, make sure to tell the examiner. Do not minimize pain.
4. Point out unstable scars. If any scar repeatedly breaks open or loses its surface, describe this to the examiner and bring any medical records documenting it.
5. Demonstrate functional limitations. If a scar restricts your movement, show the examiner. Demonstrate the limitation actively.
6. Wear accessible clothing. Make it easy for the examiner to see and measure all scars without difficulty.

Common secondary conditions linked to scars

Scars, particularly disfiguring or painful ones, are associated with secondary conditions:

• Depression — Disfiguring scars, especially on visible areas like the face and neck, are strongly associated with depression. The psychological impact of altered appearance, combined with chronic pain, takes a significant emotional toll on veterans.
• Anxiety — Social anxiety related to visible scars is well-documented. Veterans may avoid social situations, intimate relationships, and activities where scars would be exposed, leading to isolation and anxiety disorders.
• Nerve damage — Scars from deep injuries may damage underlying nerves, causing numbness, tingling, or neuropathic pain in the area around and beyond the scar. This peripheral nerve damage can be rated separately.
• Limitation of motion — Deep or adhesive scars can physically restrict joint movement, which is rated under the musculoskeletal schedule for the affected body part.

How to calculate your monthly payment

Your total VA disability payment depends on your combined rating across all service-connected conditions. Veterans with multiple scars may receive ratings under several diagnostic codes, and these combine with other service-connected conditions.

Use our VA disability calculator to:

• Calculate your combined rating with multiple conditions
• Understand how VA math combines ratings (10% + 10% does not equal 20%)
• Estimate your monthly payment including dependents

For the full breakdown of payment amounts at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.