Ratings

VA scar ratings: painful or unstable scars

A scar is not automatically rated 10 percent. Diagnostic Code 7804 rates scars that are painful or unstable, by how many you have.

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VA's rule is that when a condition does not meet the requirements for a compensable (above 0 percent) rating, VA assigns 0 percent. A scar that is not painful, not unstable, and does not meet the size or other criteria in another scar code can be rated 0 percent. Scars are rated under Diagnostic Codes 7800 through 7805 in 38 CFR 4.118.

What "unstable" means

VA's regulation says: "An unstable scar is one where, for any reason, there is frequent loss of covering of skin over the scar." In plain words, the skin over the scar keeps breaking open.

The rating under Diagnostic Code 7804

Scars that are unstable or painful	Rating
One or two	10 percent
Three or four	20 percent
Five or more	30 percent

Diagnostic Code 7804

One or two: 10 percent; Three or four: 20 percent; Five or more: 30 percent.38 CFR 4.118, Schedule of ratings, skin (eCFR) · Page reviewed September 2026.

The add-on rule

The regulation says: "If one or more scars are both unstable and painful, add 10 percent to the evaluation that is based on the total number of unstable or painful scars."

Example: one scar that is both painful and unstable is 10 percent for the count, plus 10 percent, for 20 percent. Three scars where at least one is both painful and unstable is 20 percent plus 10 percent, for 30 percent.

Heads up, rule change proposed. On September 29, 2025, VA published a proposed rule to add a Note (4) to Diagnostic Code 7804 saying: "Pain must be confirmed by objective evidence upon evaluation or demonstration." VA's notice describes this as clarifying that objective evidence of pain is still required. The comment period closed November 28, 2025. I did not find a final rule. Check the Federal Register and the eCFR before you rely on this page.

Other scar ratings that may apply

The regulation says scars rated under codes 7800, 7801, 7802 or 7805 may also be rated under 7804 when it applies.

Head, face or neck (Code 7800): rated 10, 30, 50 or 80 percent based on how many characteristics of disfigurement you have and which features are affected.
Scars not on the head, face or neck, with soft tissue damage (Code 7801): rated 10 to 40 percent by total area, from at least 6 square inches up to 144 square inches or more.
Scars not on the head, face or neck, without soft tissue damage (Code 7802): 10 percent for an area of 144 square inches or more.
Other effects (Code 7805): any disabling effect not covered by codes 7800 to 7804 is rated under a suitable diagnostic code.

Where to call and where to go

Call: VA benefits hotline, 800-827-1000 (number on VA disability compensation; hours on VA Contact us: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET).

Free help: VA says services from an accredited VSO representative on your claim are always free. An accredited attorney or claims agent can charge fees. Find an accredited representative or VSO.

Describe what your scar does: whether it hurts, and whether the skin keeps breaking open.

Related VSG pages

Sources