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Burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck
Diagnostic code 7800 · Skin · 38 CFR 4.118
Rating criteria: the exact regulation text
Quoted from 38 CFR 4.118. The "Rating" column is the percentage VA assigns for that level.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| 7800 Burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck: | |
| With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips), or; with six or more characteristics of disfigurement | 80 |
| With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips), or; with four or five characteristics of disfigurement | 50 |
| With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features (nose, chin, forehead, eyes (including eyelids), ears (auricles), cheeks, lips), or; with two or three characteristics of disfigurement | 30 |
| With one characteristic of disfigurement | 10 |
| Note (1): The 8 characteristics of disfigurement, for purposes of evaluation under § 4.118, are: | |
| Scar 5 or more inches (13 or more cm.) in length. | |
| Scar at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm.) wide at widest part. | |
| Surface contour of scar elevated or depressed on palpation. | |
| Scar adherent to underlying tissue. | |
| Skin hypo-or hyper-pigmented in an area exceeding six square inches (39 sq. cm.). | |
| Skin texture abnormal (irregular, atrophic, shiny, scaly, etc.) in an area exceeding six square inches (39 sq. cm.). | |
| Underlying soft tissue missing in an area exceeding six square inches (39 sq. cm.). | |
| Skin indurated and inflexible in an area exceeding six square inches (39 sq. cm.). | |
| Note (2): Rate tissue loss of the auricle under DC 6207 (loss of auricle) and anatomical loss of the eye under DC 6061 (anatomical loss of both eyes) or DC 6063 (anatomical loss of one eye), as appropriate. | |
| Note (3): Take into consideration unretouched color photographs when evaluating under these criteria. | |
| Note (4): Separately evaluate disabling effects other than disfigurement that are associated with individual scar(s) of the head, face, or neck, such as pain, instability, and residuals of associated muscle or nerve injury, under the appropriate diagnostic code(s) and apply § 4.25 to combine the evaluation(s) with the evaluation assigned under this diagnostic code. | |
| Note (5): The characteristic(s) of disfigurement may be caused by one scar or by multiple scars; the characteristic(s) required to assign a particular evaluation need not be caused by a single scar in order to assign that evaluation. |
Where else the regulation mentions this code
These lines appear under other codes or headings in the schedule and name this code.
5325 Muscle injury, facial muscles. Evaluate functional impairment as seventh (facial) cranial nerve neuropathy (diagnostic code 8207), disfiguring scar (diagnostic code 7800), etc. Minimum, if interfering to any extent with mastication—10
Separately evaluate visual and nonvisual impairment, e.g., disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), and combine the evaluations
Under diagnostic code 6014 (Malignant neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa (excluding skin))
Separately evaluate visual and nonvisual impairment, e.g., disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), and combine the evaluations
Under diagnostic code 6015 (Benign neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa (excluding skin))
Inactive: Evaluate based on residuals, such as visual impairment and disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800)
Inactive: Evaluate based on residuals, such as visual impairment and disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800)
Under diagnostic code 6018 (Chronic conjunctivitis (nontrachomatous))
Evaluate based on visual impairment or, in the absence of visual impairment, on disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800).
Under diagnostic code 6019 (Ptosis, unilateral or bilateral)
Separately evaluate both visual impairment due to eyelid loss and nonvisual impairment, e.g., disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), and combine the evaluations.
Under diagnostic code 6032 (Loss of eyelids, partial or complete)
Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), conjunctivitis (diagnostic code 6018), etc., depending on the particular findings, and combine in accordance with § 4.25
Evaluate based on disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800).
Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, lagophthalmos (diagnostic code 6022), disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), etc., depending on the particular findings, and combine in accordance with § 4.25
Note: Or evaluate as DC 7800, scars, disfiguring, head, face, or neck.
Under diagnostic code 6504 (Nose, loss of part of, or scars)
Rate as for disfigurement (diagnostic codes 7800 and 7804) and impairment of mastication.
Under diagnostic code 7200 (Soft tissue injury of the mouth, other than tongue or lips)
Rate as disfigurement (diagnostic codes 7800 and 7804).
Note (3): Scars evaluated under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, or 7805 may also receive an evaluation under this diagnostic code, when applicable
7805 Scars, other; and other effects of scars evaluated under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, or 7804:
Evaluate any disabling effect(s) not considered in a rating provided under diagnostic codes 7800-04 under an appropriate diagnostic code
Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or dermatitis (DC 7806), depending upon the predominant disability
Under diagnostic code 7807 (American (New World) leishmaniasis (mucocutaneous, espundia))
Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's, 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or dermatitis (DC 7806), depending upon the predominant disabililty
Under diagnostic code 7808 (Old World leishmaniasis (cutaneous, Oriental sore))
Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function
Under diagnostic code 7818 (Malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma))
Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability
Under diagnostic code 7827 (Erythema multiforme; Toxic epidermal necrolysis)
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability
Rate as scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), or impairment of function (under the appropriate body system)
Note (2): If disfigurement of the neck is present due to thyroid disease or enlargement, separately evaluate under DC 7800 (burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck).
Note (2): If disfigurement of the neck is present due to thyroid disease or enlargement, separately evaluate under DC 7800 (burn scar(s) of the head, face, or neck; scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck).
Notes for the whole table
(a) For the purposes of this section, systemic therapy is treatment that is administered through any route (orally, injection, suppository, intranasally) other than the skin, and topical therapy is treatment that is administered through the skin.
(b) Two or more skin conditions may be combined in accordance with § 4.25 only if separate areas of skin are involved. If two or more skin conditions involve the same area of skin, then only the highest evaluation shall be used.
Related codes in the regulation
- 6207 Loss of auricleMentioned together
- 6061 Anatomical loss of both eyesMentioned together
- 6063 Anatomical loss of one eyeMentioned together
- 5325 Muscle injury, facial musclesMentioned together
- 6014 Malignant neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa (excluding skin)Mentioned together
- 6015 Benign neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa (excluding skin)Mentioned together
- 6017 Trachomatous conjunctivitisMentioned together
- 6018 Chronic conjunctivitis (nontrachomatous)Mentioned together
- 6019 Ptosis, unilateral or bilateralMentioned together
- 6032 Loss of eyelids, partial or completeMentioned together
- 6034 PterygiumMentioned together
- 6037 PingueculaMentioned together
- 6091 SymblepharonMentioned together
- 6504 Nose, loss of part of, or scarsMentioned together
- 7200 Soft tissue injury of the mouth, other than tongue or lipsMentioned together
- 7201 Lips, injuries ofMentioned together
- 7804 Scar(s), unstable or painfulMentioned together
- 7805 Scars, other; and other effects of scars evaluated under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, or 7804Mentioned together
- 7807 American (New World) leishmaniasis (mucocutaneous, espundia)Mentioned together
- 7808 Old World leishmaniasis (cutaneous, Oriental sore)Mentioned together
- 7818 Malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma)Mentioned together
- 7819 Benign skin neoplasmsMentioned together
- 7826 Vasculitis, primary cutaneousMentioned together
- 7827 Erythema multiforme; Toxic epidermal necrolysisMentioned together
- 7828 AcneMentioned together
- 7829 ChloracneMentioned together
- 7833 Malignant melanomaMentioned together
- 7901 Thyroid enlargement, toxicMentioned together
- 7902 Thyroid enlargement, nontoxicMentioned together
The VA exam form for this condition
VA examiners record their findings on a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). Reading it shows you what the exam will measure and ask.
Rules that apply to this body system
Where this comes from
38 CFR 4.118, VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities, from the official eCFR.
Regulation text current as of October 16, 2026.
Change history for this code (38 CFR Part 4, Appendix A): Evaluation August 30, 2002; criterion October 23, 2008.
Read it on eCFR.govInformation, not advice
This page shows the text of VA's rating regulation for information. It is not a rating estimate, and it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides every rating on the evidence in your file.
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