Eczema (Dermatitis)
Eczema (dermatitis) causes itchy, inflamed, recurring skin rashes. VA rates it on how much of your body or exposed skin is affected, or on how much systemic (internal) therapy you need each year.
How the VA rates it
Rated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin: either the percentage of the entire body or of exposed areas (face, neck, hands) affected by characteristic lesions, or the total time on systemic therapy - corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs - over the past 12 months, whichever gives the higher rating. Topical creams alone rate 0 percent no matter how often used. If disfigurement or scarring is the predominant problem, it can instead be rated under DCs 7800-7805.
Rating criteria by percentage
Rated up to 60%Characteristic lesions covering more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas; or constant or near-constant systemic therapy (corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs) required over the past 12 months.
Lesions covering 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or of exposed areas; or systemic therapy required for a total of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12 months.
Lesions covering at least 5 percent but less than 20 percent of the entire body or of exposed areas; or intermittent systemic therapy totaling less than 6 weeks over the past 12 months.
Less than 5 percent of the entire body or of exposed areas affected, and no more than topical therapy required over the past 12 months.
Secondary condition strategy
Commonly claimed secondary to this
Conditions veterans often develop from this one — each can be its own rating under 38 CFR 3.310.
- Major Depressive Disorder — Mental health conditions are sometimes claimed secondary to chronic, visible skin disease.
This is often secondary to
If you already have one of these service-connected, it may support connecting this condition.
- Service chemical or environmental exposures — Chronic dermatitis is often claimed on a direct basis from in-service exposures (fuels, solvents, burn pit smoke) rather than as a secondary condition.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- Time your C&P exam or provider documentation for a flare if possible - eczema waxes and wanes, and courts require VA to consider the condition during active phases.
- Have a provider estimate and chart the percentage of total body and exposed area affected - those numbers set the tiers.
- Keep prescriptions and treatment dates for any systemic therapy (oral steroids, phototherapy, biologics like dupilumab) - six or more cumulative weeks in a year supports 30 percent even with limited body coverage.
- Photograph flares with dates, especially on exposed areas.
Rating rules to know
Eczema can alternatively be rated as disfigurement (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801-7805) if that is the predominant disability, but the same skin involvement is not rated twice.
Related diagnostic codes
More skin conditions
Painful or Unstable Scars
Scars that are painful or unstable (skin repeatedly breaks down over them) are rated under DC 7804 based simply on how many qualifying scars you have. This is one of the most commonly added ratings after any service-connected surgery or injury.
Rated up to 30%
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease causing thick, scaly plaques. VA rates it on the percentage of body or exposed skin affected, or on how much systemic therapy (including biologics) you need per year; psoriatic arthritis is rated separately.
Rated up to 60%
Other Scars (Body Scars)
Scars on the body (not head, face, or neck) are rated by surface area if they are nonlinear: deep scars under DC 7801 (up to 40 percent) and superficial scars under DC 7802 (10 percent). DC 7805 catches any other disabling effect of a scar, rated under the appropriate body-system code.
Rated up to 40%
Disfiguring Scars of the Head, Face, or Neck
Scars or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (from burns, wounds, or surgery) are rated on visible tissue loss, distortion of facial features, and specific 'characteristics of disfigurement' such as length, width, and skin changes.
Rated up to 80%
Acne
Service-connected acne is rated on whether it is deep (inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) and how much of the face and neck it affects, topping out at 30 percent - or it can be rated as disfigurement or scarring if that is worse.
Rated up to 30%
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.