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.
Infections of the skin not listed elsewhere (including bacterial, fungal, viral, treponemal, and parasitic diseases)
Skin · 38 CFR § 4.118
Diagnostic Code 7820 is the VASRD entry for Infections of the skin not listed elsewhere (including bacterial, fungal, viral, treponemal, and parasitic diseases). 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 B
- Infections of the skin.
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Source-verified VASRD criteria
How VA rates this — General Rating Formula For The Skin For DCs 7806, 7809, 7813-7816, 7820-7822, and 7824
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.
At least one of the following
Constant or near-constant systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period
At least one of the following
At least one of the following
No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following
Special rating instructions
- General Rating Formula For The Skin For DCs 7806, 7809, 7813-7816, 7820-7822, and 7824:
- Characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or
- Characteristic lesions involving 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12-month period
- Characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected; or
- At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected; or
- Intermittent systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over the past 12-month period
- Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of the entire body affected; or
- Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected
- 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. This rating instruction does not apply to DC 7824
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