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Diagnostic Code 7828: Acne Rating Criteria

CFR section
38 CFR § 4.118
Rating range
0% to 30%
Rating levels
3
Body system
Skin conditions

The VA rates Acne under diagnostic code 7828 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 7828 rating criteria

RatingCriteria
0% Superficial acne (comedones, papules, pustules) of any extent What raters look forsuperficial acne of any extent
10% Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting less than 40 percent of the face and neck, or deep acne other than on the face and neck What raters look fordeep acne affecting less than 40 percent of the face and neck; deep acne other than on the face and neck
30% Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting 40 percent or more of the face and neck What raters look fordeep acne affecting 40 percent or more of the face and neck

DC 7828 rating appeals at the Board

The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 197 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 7828 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 17.8%, denied 69.5% and sent 12.7% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.

Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 7828 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.

Condition guide

The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Acne. The Acne condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.

What happens to Acne appeals at the Board

18.4%Granted
36.9%Denied
44.8%Remanded

Claim Raven's analysis of 1,115 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Acne, 2021 to 2026. The Acne condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.

Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Acne appeals generally rather than DC 7828 specifically. The DC 7828 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.

Frequently asked questions

What is VA diagnostic code 7828?

Diagnostic code 7828 is the VA rating schedule entry for Acne, 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 7828?

DC 7828 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.

What does the highest rating under DC 7828 require?

The 30% rating for Acne requires: Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting 40 percent or more of the face and neck.

How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 7828?

In 191 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 7828 from 2021 to 2026, 15.7% were granted, 71.2% denied and 13.1% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.

Free help filing a claim

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Other skin conditions codes

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Claim Raven is not legal or medical advice and is not an official VA application. Rating criteria are quoted from 38 CFR Part 4; the VA applies them to your specific record. Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then 1