Diagnostic code
Diagnostic Code 7804: Unstable or Painful Scars Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.118
- Rating range
- 10% to 30%
- Rating levels
- 3
- Body system
- Skin conditions
The VA rates Unstable or Painful Scars under diagnostic code 7804 in 38 CFR § 4.118. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 7804 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | One or two scars that are unstable or painful What raters look for1-2 painful scars |
| 20% | Three or four scars that are unstable or painful What raters look for3-4 painful scars |
| 30% | Five or more scars that are unstable or painful What raters look for5+ painful scars |
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Scars. The Scars condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Scars appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 484 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals cases with Scars as the primary issue. The Scars condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: outcomes are coded per case from the Board's published decisions, rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, excluding dismissals. The dataset codes the condition on appeal, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Scars appeals generally rather than DC 7804 specifically. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 7804?
Diagnostic code 7804 is the VA rating schedule entry for Unstable or Painful Scars, found in 38 CFR § 4.118. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 7804?
DC 7804 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 30%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 7804 require?
The 30% rating for Unstable or Painful Scars requires: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful.