If you served in the military and you now have a skin condition, you may be entitled to disability compensation. In fact, depending on where you served, the VA may assume your service is connected to the condition. This post explains the VA rating for skin conditions.
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You went through hormonal bouts of acne like most teens, but that was decades ago. Now, your acne looks even worse than it did then, and you have no explanation for it. This extreme acne may be a result of toxic exposure during your military service. Chloracne is just one common skin condition in veterans that may potentially make you eligible for VA disability benefits.
In this article about VA disability ratings for skin conditions:
Common skin conditions in veterans
Veterans can develop various skin conditions related to their service. The percentage of veterans with skin conditions depends on the type of condition. One study found that as many as 48% of Gulf War veterans have skin conditions.
Some of the most common types of skin conditions in veterans include:
- Dermatitis or eczema – a drying, swelling, and irritation of the skin
- Psoriasis – causes raised, scaly, itchy patches on the skin
- Skin cancer – the most common type of cancer, usually caused by too much exposure to the sun and UV rays
- Chloracne – extreme acne resulting from exposure to chemicals like Agent Orange
- Scars
- Burns
People experience skin conditions for a myriad of reasons. However, veterans may be more prone to skin conditions because of environmental hazards they’re exposed to during their military service.
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VA rating for skin conditions
The VA rates skin conditions using diagnostic codes 7800-7833 in the Schedule of Ratings. Many of the rating amounts are based on how much of the skin is affected by the condition and where the condition presents itself. For example, the VA rates scars and burns based on location on the body, size, and severity of impact.
Many other skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, skin lupus, and fungal skin infections, among others, are rated using the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
The General Rating Formula for the Skin gives a rating of 60%, 30%, or 10% for at least one of the following listed conditions in each category below.
The VA defines systemic therapy as “treatment that is administered through any route (orally, injection, suppository, intranasally) other than the skin, and topical therapy is treatment that is administered through the skin.”
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or 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 | 60% | $1,3161.88 |
| 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 | 30% | $524.31 |
| 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 | 10% | $171.23 |
Agent Orange effects on skin and presumptive conditions
Some skin conditions are assumed presumptive in veterans. A presumptive service connection means that when a qualifying veteran applies for VA disability, they are not required to submit proof that their condition is medically linked to their service. Instead, the condition is automatically presumed service-connected.
Agent Orange
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange can receive a presumptive service connection for chloracne. That’s because Agent Orange contains dioxin, a chemical that is directly linked to the development of the skin condition.
Gulf War
Gulf War veterans with chronic skin conditions can receive presumptive service connections for those benefits because of exposure to environmental toxins. The VA considers a Gulf War veteran anyone who served on active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan.
Burn pit exposure
In addition to veterans stationed in the locations listed above, The PACT Act assumes some skin cancers are presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to chemicals through burn pits.
The PACT Act, which was signed into law in August 2022, includes 23 presumptive conditions for burn pits, including 12 cancers. One of those cancers is melanoma, a common type of skin cancer.
VA C&P exam for skin conditions
If you don’t have a presumptive service connection with a skin condition, you must prove your condition began or was made worse during your military service. A compensation and pension (C&P) exam will most likely be administered. In fact, even if you have a presumptive service connection, you may be asked to attend a C&P exam. Additionally, the VA will most likely do a TERA Exam as well.
The VA will automatically deny your claim if you don’t complete a requested exam.
A C&P exam for a skin condition is much like a regular medical exam. The medical professional will ask you questions about your military service and your condition. Then, they will want to physically view your skin condition and determine its location and severity. After that, they may make a diagnosis.
DBQ for skin conditions
You may want to use a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) during your exam for the skin condition.
DBQs are forms the VA created to help guide medical professionals during examinations of veterans. Any doctor, including your primary care physician, can use the form, which is meant to help ensure the medical professional accurately records your condition.
The DBQ typically includes sections for the medical professional to discuss:
- Your symptoms
- A diagnosis of the condition
- Medications you’ve used or are using to treat the conditions
- A description of the condition’s impact on your overall health and ability to function normally in your life
A medical professional uses a DBQ to record your potential disability during an examination. You then use the form to support your disability claim to the VA. The VA will then use the form as it determines the outcome of your claim, which may include your VA disability rating and your VA compensation amount.
However, even if a medical professional completes a DBQ, the VA still may require you to complete a compensation and pension (C&P) exam.
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TDIU for skin conditions
In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for skin conditions. Veterans are eligible for this benefit if they can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected condition(s).
A veteran with a skin condition may not be able to work if their condition causes a great deal of pain or limits movement. They also might not be able to maintain employment if they have skin cancer and the cancer itself or the associated treatment makes them too ill to attend a regular job.
Finally, some skin conditions may cause psychological concerns. Skin conditions are linked with depression and social isolation. For example, if a veteran has severe eczema that causes itching and a raised rash on their hands, face, and arms, it may cause them to avoid working with people or in public because of emotional discomfort.
Veterans who receive TDIU are compensated at the 100% disability rating level even though their condition is rated below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
How our VA-accredited attorneys can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve VA disability compensation. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, the VA does rate skin conditions. The condition is typically rated based on the severity of symptoms and how large the affected area is.
Yes. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange can receive a presumptive service connection for chloracne, and Gulf War veterans can receive presumptive service connections for chronic skin conditions. Additionally, the PACT Act assumes some skin cancers are presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to chemicals through burn pits.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
