VETERANS HELP GROUP

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VA DISABILITY FOR SCARS 

For the general public, scars are mainly a cosmetic concern. But, for military service, scars can lead to impaired mobility, significant pain, and mental distress. According to VA’s Annual Benefits Report for the fiscal Year 2018, scars are the fourth most common form of disability among veterans affecting nearly one million service people. 

Scar disabilities for VA are divided into five separate diagnostic codes based on the number of scars, the area the scar affects, their permanence, and the presence of pain. Fortunately, if you are honorably discharged from the military and have a scar, you may be eligible to receive disability for scars, which allows you to get compensated if you meet all the requirements.

You might think that VA disability rates for scars are easy, but in reality, you need to understand the necessary paperwork and math to calculate your exact rates. To avoid getting into the process blindly, this post looks at all the crucial facts you need to know concerning VA compensation for scars.

A Definition of Scars

For a veteran to be eligible for VA scar disability compensation, the scar has to be either painful, unstable, or a combination of both. Unstable scars are scars that lead to frequent loss of covering skin over the scar.  

Scar disabilities are reimbursed based on several factors, which are evaluated based on medical conditions and characteristics of disfigurement. While it seems straightforward, these factors can quickly get complicated, which is why the services of an advocate specialized in the matter are really crucial. 

Before booking an appointment with an advocate, you can check if your scar shares any of the following eight main attributes, which the VA uses to characterize scars:

• The scar has to be at least five inches (13 cm) in length
• The scar’s width has to be more than one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) at its widest part
• The scar’s surface elevates or depresses when pressure is applied 
• The scar is adherent to the soft tissue underneath it
• Loss of skin color (hypopigmentation) or darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) in an area larger than six square inches
• Abnormal skin texture (scaly, shiny, tight, atrophic, irregular, etc.) is greater than six square inches around your scarred area.
• Missing underlying soft tissue underneath the scar is missing in size larger than six square inches
• Skin does not move (inflexible) and is hard (indurated) in an area exceeding six square inches 

Scar Ratings By The VA

The Department of Veterans Affair rate scars based on varying factors, including the severity and number of scars the service person has. The official diagnostic code for scar disabilities falls under 38 CFR 4.118, diagnostic code 7800 through to 7805. You will receive a scar disability compensation rating based on diagnostic codes.

7800: Scars on the Head, Face, and Neck

For veterans with scars on their head, face, or neck, the Veteran’s Association will rate the scare based on gross or asymmetry distortion, palpable or visible tissue loss, and the number of scars based on the scar eligibility characteristics. Four ratings could make a veteran potentially receive compensation under code 7800:

• 10%: the veteran has a single characteristic of disfigurement.
• 30%: The veteran has two or three attributes of scars or has gross distortion and tissue loss.
• 50%: Veterans with asymmetry as well as four to five disfigurement characteristics.
• 80%: Veterans with extreme signs of tissue distortion and loss or have at least six attributes of scars.

If you have any of these characteristics, it’s important to note that these might not be your final scores. The VA rates your scars based on how they view them, and the ratings posted above are only potential ratings because you have to be reviewed by the VA to get your actual rating.  

7801: Scars Due to Causes Not on the Head, Face, and Neck that is Deep and Nonlinear

Every scar that is found below the head and neck is evaluated individually, meaning you receive a separate rating for each qualifying scar. The independent ratings will then be combined into a single disability rating. All qualifying scars for code 7801 have to be below the neck, nonlinear, and deep. For code 7801, scars are rated depending on:

• 10%: The scar is between 6 and 12 square inches
• 20%: The scar is between 12 and 27 inches
• 30%: The area of the scar is at least 72 square inches but less than 144 square inches
• 40%: The scar is 144 square inches or more

7802: Scars That Are Superficial And Nonlinear

Superficial scars are defined as scars that are superficial in anatomical terms. These scars don’t affect the underlying soft tissue, but they affect the skin and are only temporary. The Veterans Association code 7802 rates scar 10% if the scar is in an area of 144 inches or greater. Like code 7801, each scar is reviewed individually, which means each scar that qualifies will receive its own rating. 

7804: Scars That Are Painful or Unstable

Veterans that have unstable or painful disfigurements with frequent loss of skin cover might receive a 10% rating if they have more than one unstable scar. The VA rating system for painful scars under code 7804 is as follows:

• 10%: The veteran has 1-2 dangerous or painful scars
• 20%: The veteran has 3-4 painful or unstable scars
• 30%: The veteran has at least five unstable or painful scars

7805: Other Scars, Including Nonlinear Scars, and Effects of Scars Not Under Previous Diagnostic Codes

The rating for scars categorized as others is determined by the debilitating effects of disfigurement on the veteran. For example, if the service person has a liner scar running along a joint like the knee and prevents flexion, it will be rated as the knee’s limitation on motion. All other disfigurements not covered under the VA’s scar rating system are rated analogous to diagnostic codes 7800 to 7805.  

CONCLUSION

Many complexities make the process of receiving scar disability compensation challenging for most veterans. Fortunately, you can get help from experienced veteran advocates, who can guide you through the process. 

Our highly skilled advocates at Veterans Help Group understand the potential challenges the veteran’s disability law presents. If you or someone you love have any questions regarding scar disability claims or appealing a claim, feel free to contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation.