Scars
Topics:
Overview
Scar Ratings
Overview
The VA awards disability compensation for each condition that is service-connected. The DoD will also rate service-connected conditions as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty. For Reservists, the condition must have occurred in or resulted from an injury in the Line of Duty to qualify.
Scars can occur anywhere on the outside of the body and can cause various levels of disability depending on their size and severity. Internal scars are not rated here, but are instead rated on how they affect the functioning of the affected internal organs.
Applying the Pyramiding Principle to Scar conditions is tricky. A single scar affecting a small area presents with a very different disability than a single scar covering the majority of the body, and multiple scars in the same area would cause symptoms that are impossible to separate for rating purposes.
Because of this, the VASRD offers specific instructions with each scar code on whether or not multiple ratings can be given. In general, the VASRD breaks the body down into areas (left arm, right arm, etc.), and each area can receive a single Scar rating. All scars in that area are combined and rated together as one. See the Scar Ratings page for specific details and exceptions.
Skin conditions and their resulting scars are usually not rated separately unless specifically noted (see The Skin Condition Ratings page).
Return to Top
Scar Ratings
The VASRD offers ratings for the following Scar conditions:
All Scars fit into one or more of these categories. Read the codes carefully to ensure that each scar is rated appropriately (see the Scars Ratings page).
Return to Top
FAQs
Does my scar qualify for VA disability?
The VA will rate all scars that officially qualify as service-connected. See our Service-Connection page to see if yours qualifies.
Does my scar qualify for DoD Disability?
The DoD will rate all scars that officially qualify as service-connected and make you Unfit for Duty.
What benefits will I receive for my scar?
The DoD will award retirement benefits for a 30% or higher rating, and a severance payment for anything less. The VA will award you a monthly payment and full medical coverage for all of your service-connected conditions. The exact amount of the monthly payment will depend on your combined VA rating for your conditions.
Will the VA make my rating for my scar permanent?
The VA only assigns a Permanent and Total (P&T) status for conditions considered medically permanent that combine to equal a 100% rating.
Can multiple scars each get their own ratings?
Scars are rated on areas of the body. All scars within a single area of the body are combined and given a single rating, but if one scar is in multiple areas, each area will get its own rating.
How much money will I receive monthly from the VA for my condition?
The exact amount you will receive monthly depends on your total combined rating and whether you have dependents. See our VA Rating Chart page for details on the current rates.
What do I do if my condition is service-connected, but my claim was denied?
You can appeal to have your claim reconsidered. Make sure that the VA has sufficient evidence to refute their reason for denial.
I have a C&P Exam scheduled. What should I expect?
The VA requires all conditions to be reviewed by their physicians in a C&P exam to ensure that the evidence necessary to properly rate the condition is recorded. You should go prepared with knowledge of how your conditions are rated so that you can make sure the physician records the essential information to get your conditions rated correctly.
