Scar(s), unstable or painful

Diagnostic code 7804

This formula governs the skin criteria published in 38 CFR §4.118. The criteria below are quoted from the regulation and are current as of 2026-07-07.

This explains the published rating criteria. It is not a prediction about any veteran’s claim, and only VA decides a rating.

38 CFR §4.118Regulation text current as of 2026-07-07

Published criteria

7804 Scar(s), unstable or painful:

30%Five or more scars that are unstable or painful

20%Three or four scars that are unstable or painful

10%One or two scars that are unstable or painful

Notes printed with this ladder in the regulation

Note (1): An unstable scar is one where, for any reason, there is frequent loss of covering of skin over the scar.

Note (2): If one or more scars are both unstable and painful, add 10 percent to the evaluation that is based on the total number of unstable or painful scars

Note (3): Scars evaluated under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, or 7805 may also receive an evaluation under this diagnostic code, when applicable

Related VA rating resources

Browse the VA rating criteria hub, use the combined-rating calculator to understand how ratings combine, or see the published figures in the VA disability pay chart.

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