This reference uses VA rating codes. For a code from a medical record, check ICD-10-CM and the service date. A clinical code alone does not establish a VA rating or a matching VA diagnostic code.
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
Skin · 38 CFR § 4.118
Diagnostic Code 7800 is the VASRD entry for 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. VA applies the controlling criteria, shared formulas, and special instructions shown in 38 CFR Part 4. VMC presents this material for education and reference; it does not determine a Veteran's diagnosis, service connection, or evaluation.
Recorded index labels
These labels are already stored for this diagnostic code. They are not a new condition, rating, or medical relationship.
Appendix C
- Disfigurement of, head, face or neck
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Source-verified VASRD criteria
How VA rates this diagnostic code
These percentages summarize the regulatory criteria already mapped to this diagnostic code. They do not predict a Veteran's individual evaluation or establish service connection.
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
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
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
With one characteristic of disfigurement
Special rating instructions
- 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.).
Regulatory notes
- Note (1): The 8 characteristics of disfigurement, for purposes of evaluation under § 4.118, are:
- 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.
Body system and anatomy metadata
Body system: Skin
Anatomy / region tags: multi region
These tags support discovery and body-map compatibility. They do not establish Veteran-specific laterality or entitlement.
Official VA DBQ references
DBQ catalog: va-dbq-2026.09.16 · Retrieved 2026-09-16. Official VA inventory ↗
- Scars ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Dermatological
Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.
- Skin Diseases ↗ Related resourceCatalog category: Dermatological
Related by body system only. No reviewed condition-specific form match or requirement has been established.
VA maintains some examination forms that are not available for public use. VMC does not infer a one-code-to-one-DBQ relationship.
Evidence information
When reviewing the criteria, useful evidence categories can include diagnosis and treatment records, objective testing identified by the schedule, documented frequency/duration/severity when the criteria use those concepts, and functional effects described in medical or lay evidence. The relevant evidence depends on the actual claim and medical facts.
VMC does not diagnose conditions, guarantee a percentage, or advise anyone to exaggerate symptoms.
Legal basis and source identification
38 CFR § 4.118 · Source current through 2026-08-06 · Verified 2026-08-10
Registry content release: vasrd-registry-2026.08.1