Scars tell a story. For many veterans, those stories are a permanent reminder of your service and sacrifice. They can also be painful, limiting, and affect your self-confidence.
You might be wondering about the rating percentages for scars and disfigurement under VA guidelines. What evidence do I need to file a VA claim for scars and disfigurement?
Many veterans do not realize they can get VA disability benefits for their scars. We are going to walk through exactly how the VA looks at scars and what you need to build a successful claim. Understanding the process for getting benefits for scars and disfigurement can make a huge difference.
Can You Get VA Disability for Scars?
Yes, you absolutely can get a VA disability rating for scars. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes that scars can be more than just a mark on your skin. They can be painful, unstable, and cause significant disfigurement, impacting your physical and mental well-being.
To get a VA disability for scars, you first need to prove service connection. This means you must show that your scar is related to your time in military service. This process typically requires three key elements.
First, you need evidence of an injury, event, or illness during your service, which can include combat wounds, training accidents, burns, or even necessary surgery. Second, you need a current medical diagnosis of a scar or disfigurement from a doctor. Finally, you need a medical link, or nexus, connecting your scar to that in-service event, which solidifies your disability claim.
How the VA Assigns Disability Ratings for Scars
The VA does not assign a rating based simply on the presence of a scar. It uses a specific set of rules from the Code of Federal Regulations, 38 CFR § 4.118, which provides the schedule of ratings for skin conditions. Each diagnostic code corresponds to a specific condition and its rating criteria.
When a VA rater evaluates your claim, they consider several factors based on this schedule. They look at the location of the scar, how many you have, and if they possess certain characteristics. A scar on your face is viewed differently from a scar on your back due to its visibility and potential for gross distortion.
They will also look at whether the scar is painful, unstable, or causes disfigurement. The overall size of the scarred area, any tissue damage, and resulting functional impairment also play a big role in the final disability ratings you receive.
Demystifying the Rating Percentages for Scars
The rating percentages can seem complex at first glance. The VA generally divides scars into two main categories for evaluation. One category is for scars on the head, face, or neck, and the other is for scars on the rest of the body.
Scars on the Head, Face, or Neck (Disfiguring)
For scars in this area, the VA focuses on whether they are disfiguring. The rating is determined by how many of eight specific characteristics are present. The more characteristics your scar exhibits, the higher your potential va disability rating will be.
The rating is based on the total number of these characteristics present across all your scars in this area. It’s not about how many individual scars you have.
Scars Elsewhere on the Body
When scars are located anywhere other than your head, face, or neck, the VA rates them differently. For these scars, the va rate is based on the total area of painful and/or unstable scars on your body. Raters measure the total square inches of all these scars combined to determine the correct percent evaluation.
An unstable scar is one where the skin frequently breaks down, leading to a frequent loss of skin covering or ulcers. A painful scar is one that hurts even without being touched or is tender to palpation. If your doctor has noted either of these things, or any underlying soft tissue damage, it is important medical evidence for your claim.
Here’s how the VA rates scars based on total area:
The VA combines the area of all your painful or unstable scars, including burn scars, to arrive at one total number. This total area determines your rating percentage.
What If a Scar Doesn’t Fit?
What if you have scars that aren’t disfiguring, painful, or unstable? You may still receive a 0% rating. While that sounds like a loss, a 0% percent disability rating is actually a victory for your VA disability claim.
This rating confirms that the VA agrees your scar is a service-connected disability. This is significant because if the scar later becomes painful, unstable, or causes other problems, you can file for an increased rating. You will not have to prove service connection all over again.
Additionally, if a scar limits the function of a joint, you could get a separate rating for that limitation. A tight scar across your elbow that prevents you from fully extending your arm could be rated based on limited range of motion. This would be a separate rating from the skin rating for the scar itself.
What Evidence Do I Need for a Scar and Disfigurement Claim?
Now that you know how the VA rates scars, we should discuss the evidence you need. Building a strong VA claim is about giving the VA the proof it needs. Without the right documents and statements, even a valid claim can be denied.
Essential Medical Records
Your medical records are the foundation of your claim. The most important of these are your Service Treatment Records (STRs). These documents show what happened in the service that caused your scar, providing a clear link to your military duty.
Look for any mention of the injury, treatment, or surgery in your STRs. This is your proof that the event happened on active duty. If you have been treated for the scar since leaving the service, those records are also critical.
Records from VA hospitals or private doctors show that your condition is current and how it affects you today. Make sure these records describe the scar, its size, and any symptoms like pain, itching, or underlying tissue loss.
Photographic Evidence is Your Best Friend
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially for rating scars. Photos allow the VA rater to see exactly what you are describing in your VA claims. They are powerful pieces of evidence that can visualize the extent of tissue loss or disfigurement.
Take clear, well-lit photos of your scars from several different angles. To provide clear evidence of size, place a ruler next to each cm scar in some of the photos. This gives the VA verifiable proof, which is critical for an accurate rating.
If the scar’s appearance changes, such as when it’s irritated or swollen, try to capture that as well. You can submit these photos with a brief description along with your claim paperwork.
Personal Statements and Buddy Letters
Your medical records show the facts, but they don’t always tell the whole story. This is where personal statements are useful. You can write a statement, often on a VA Form 21-4138, to explain how your scar affects your daily life.
Talk about the pain, the numbness, or how it limits your movement. If the scar is on your face or another visible area, explain the emotional toll it takes. This context helps the rater understand the full impact beyond just the physical characteristics.
Buddy letters are statements from people who knew you in the service or know you now. A fellow service member can write about witnessing the injury. A spouse or friend can write about how they see the scar affecting you day-to-day, which can strengthen your benefits report.
The C&P Exam for Scars
Most veterans filing for scar disability will have to attend a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. This is a medical appointment scheduled by the VA. The examiner is not there to treat you but to evaluate your condition and provide an opinion for your claim.
During the VA examination, the doctor will look at and measure your scars. They will check for all the characteristics of disfigurement and ask you about any pain or other symptoms. They will document their findings on a disability benefits questionnaire, or DBQ.
It is very important to be open and honest with the examiner. Do not downplay your symptoms or act tough. This exam is a key part of your claim, as the examiner’s report will heavily influence the VA’s final decision on your percent disability.
Common Pitfalls When Filing for Scar Disability
Filing a VA claim can sometimes feel complicated. There are a few common mistakes that veterans make when filing for scars. Knowing about them can help you avoid them.
A major pitfall is not fully describing your symptoms. If you have painful scars, say so. If the underlying soft tissue limits your activities, explain how. The VA can only rate the conditions and symptoms that they know about.
Another issue is not providing sufficient evidence. Don’t assume the VA can find the report about your injury from ten years ago. Give them everything you have, including clear photos and detailed personal statements, to support your disability claims.
Also, don’t forget to consider secondary conditions. Severe disfigurement can sometimes lead to depression or anxiety. If that’s the case for you, you can file a separate claim for a mental health condition as secondary to your service-connected scars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about VA disability claims for scars.
Can I get a 100% VA rating for scars?
A 100% rating for scars alone is extremely rare and typically not possible under the general rating formula for skin. However, an 80% rating is possible for highly disfiguring scars on the head, face, or neck. A veteran could potentially reach a 100% combined rating if they have other service-connected disabilities.
What is the difference between palpable tissue loss and a simple depression?
Palpable tissue loss means the loss of underlying tissue is so significant that you can feel the depression with your fingers. It’s a noticeable indentation in the skin, not just a shallow dip. This specific characteristic is one of the eight used for rating disfiguring scars.
Do burn scars get rated differently?
Burn scars are rated under the same criteria as other scars. Their rating will depend on their location, size, whether they are painful or unstable, and if they have any of the eight characteristics of disfigurement. Extensive burn scars often result in higher disability ratings due to their large surface area and the associated soft tissue damage.
Can keloid scars increase my rating?
Yes, keloid scars can contribute to a higher rating. A keloid is a type of raised scar where the tissue is swollen or raised above the surrounding skin. This is one of the eight specific characteristics of disfigurement the VA looks for on the head, face, or neck.
How does the VA handle multiple scars?
For disfiguring scars on the head, face, or neck, the VA counts the total number of characteristics across all scars. For scars elsewhere, the VA combines the total square-inch area of all painful or unstable scars. In both cases, you receive a single disability compensation rating for scars based on these combined findings.
Conclusion
Getting a VA disability rating for your scars is absolutely possible. Your veteran’s scars are a part of your story and a direct result of your service. They deserve to be recognized with the disability benefits you have earned.
Success comes down to understanding how the VA views and rates scars and providing the solid evidence they need to approve your claim. From your medical records to personal photos and statements, each piece of evidence helps build a complete picture. This detailed approach is necessary for the Veterans Affairs to grant your claim.
You served your country, and you’ve carried the marks of that service with you. Knowing the rating percentages for scars and disfigurement under VA guidelines, and what evidence you need to file a VA claim for scars and disfigurement, is your next step toward getting the benefits you’ve earned.