Alopecia Hair Loss VA Disability Rating

Alopecia can significantly impact a veteran’s self-esteem, mental health, and overall quality of life.

While often viewed as a cosmetic issue, alopecia and hair loss can be linked to underlying medical conditions, service-related stress, or exposure to environmental hazards.

Veterans with service-connected alopecia may be eligible for an alopecia VA rating. In this article, we explain the different types of alopecia, describe how the condition is rated, and discuss other conditions that could be related to alopecia.

What is alopecia?

Alopecia is generally classified into two main types: scarring (cicatricial) and nonscarring alopecia. The difference lies in whether or not the hair follicles are permanently damaged.

Scarring alopecia involves inflammation that destroys hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue, often leading to permanent hair loss. It may be caused by burns, infections, or autoimmune diseases like lupus.

Nonscarring alopecia does not permanently damage hair follicles, allowing the potential for hair regrowth. Common types include alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disorder, telogen effluvium, and androgenic alopecia.   

Depending on the type of alopecia you have, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Patches of hair loss on your scalp, face, eyebrows, and/or body
• Dents or pits on your nails 
• Redness and scaling on the scalp
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression 

Alopecia, in general, can be caused by genetics, exposure to environmental toxins, cancers, chemo and radiation, thyroid disorders, excessive levels of stress, and burns. 

Alopecia in veterans

Alopecia affects a significant number of veterans, and can often be linked to both physical and psychological factors experienced during service. 

Among veterans, alopecia can be triggered by high-stress environments, autoimmune disorders, and exposure to certain environmental hazards.

Things like excessive exposure to UV light during deployment, ingestion of heavy metals in drinking water, exposure to toxins from smoke, and pesticide exposure can all contribute to hair loss in veterans. 

Additionally, due to military grooming standards and required hairstyles, female veterans are also at risk of developing traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by repeated tight hairstyles that put strain on the scalp. One study shows the prevalence of alopecia among female veterans is slightly higher than the general population, and is likely underreported.  

Beyond the physical symptoms of alopecia, the condition can negatively impact self-esteem and mental health, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, and social exclusion. 

Alopecia VA rating

Veterans with hair loss caused by military service may be eligible for an alopecia VA rating. The VA rates scarring alopecia using diagnostic code 7830 under the Schedule of Ratings for the skin. 

There are three potential disability ratings for scarring alopecia: 0%, 10%, and 20%. The rating criteria is below. 

• 20%: Affecting more than 40% of the scalp 
• 10%: Affecting 20 to 40% of the scalp 
• 0%: Affecting less than 20% of the scalp 

Also rated following the criteria in the Schedule of Ratings for the skin, alopecia areata is rated using diagnostic code 7831. Alopecia areata has two potential VA ratings: 0% and 10%. The rating criteria for this condition is below:

• 10%: With loss of all body hair 
• 0%: With loss of hair limited to scalp and face

Although a 0% hair loss VA rating will not award you any compensation, it establishes a service connection between your alopecia and your military service. It’s important to establish that connection in case your condition worsens over time and you wish to file for an increased rating. 

Alopecia and related conditions

Alopecia can sometimes be caused by another service-connected condition, which may make it eligible for service connection on a secondary basis. A veteran can receive a secondary VA disability rating for any condition that’s medically related to another service-connected disability. Below are other conditions that are commonly related to alopecia. 

Cancer and chemotherapy

Veterans with service-connected cancer who have gone through chemotherapy may develop alopecia as a result. Depending on the type and dose of chemo medication, hair loss can range from very little to complete and permanent hair loss.   

Undergoing chemotherapy treatment in itself doesn’t make you eligible for VA benefits, but service-connected cancer can. If a veteran with service-connected cancer develops alopecia, they may be eligible for an alopecia VA rating secondary to cancer. 

Autoimmune disorders

Autoimmune diseases are disorders in which the body attacks itself instead of defending it. Diabetes, lupus, and autoimmune thyroid disorders can all cause alopecia.

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