Eczema / Dermatitis
Diagnostic Code 7806 • 38 CFR § 4.118
Ratings turn on body surface area (BSA), exposed vs total skin, and systemic therapy weeks per year. Build a paper trail: dermatology maps, pharmacy fills, and dated photos.
DC
7806
DC 7806 Ratings at a Glance (2026 $, veteran alone)
Schedule caps at 60%. DC 7806 has no 100% tier. To reach higher ratings, stack disfigurement (DC 7800), painful/unstable scars (DC 7804), or pursue malignant skin neoplasms (DC 7818) where applicable.
Lesions affecting >40% BSA or >40% exposed area, OR constant/near-constant systemic therapy over past 12 months
$1,435.02/mo
Lesions affecting 20–40% BSA or 20–40% exposed area, OR systemic therapy for ≥6 weeks (but not constantly) over past 12 months
$552.47/mo
Lesions affecting at least 5% but less than 20% BSA, OR intermittent systemic therapy for <6 weeks over past 12 months
$180.42/mo
Lesions affecting <5% BSA AND no more than topical therapy over past 12 months
$0
Match your symptoms to the verbatim regulatory rows—DC 7806 also interacts with scar/disfigurement codes when applicable.
Complete regulatory criteria, CFR citations, and official rating notes
Three Compensation Scenarios
30% skin + 50% mental health
Combined pushes toward 65–70% territory—often $1,500–1,716/mo illustrative band.
60% eczema + biologic therapy documentation
High schedular skin ratings require clear systemic therapy duration or BSA documentation—keep pharmacy ledgers and infusion notes.
10% skin + GERD + rhinitis (environmental)
Multi-system environmental claims are common—each adds to combined % when service-connected.
Rating Breakdown (DC 7806 — summary)
| Rating | Criteria (summary) | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 60% | Characteristic lesions involving >40% of body OR >40% of exposed areas; OR constant or near-constant systemic therapy (e.g., biologics, methotrexate, corticosteroids) required over past 12 months (§ 4.118). | $1,435.02 |
| 30% | Characteristic lesions involving 20–40% of body or exposed areas; OR systemic therapy required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over past 12 months. | $552.47 |
| 10% | Characteristic lesions involving at least 5% but less than 20% of body; OR intermittent systemic therapy for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over past 12 months. | $180.42 |
| 0% | Lesions affecting less than 5% of body AND no more than topical therapy required over past 12 months. | $0 |
Evidence Requirements
BSA mapping
Dermatology notes with % for total body and exposed areas—not vague labels.
Systemic therapy log
Prednisone tapers, methotrexate, cyclosporine, biologics—dates and duration.
Photographs
Dated, consistent lighting; optional ruler/scale for lesions.
Biopsy / patch testing
Confirms atopic dermatitis vs psoriasis when diagnosis disputed.
Sleep & work impact
Document scratching-related sleep loss for secondary mental health or sleep claims.
Common Secondary Conditions
🧠 Depression / anxiety
STRONG9434 / 9411 • Visible disease burden
😴 Sleep disturbance
MODERATE6847 note • Itch-related fragmentation
🦠 Skin infection
STRONG7800+ • Barrier breakdown
📍 Scarring
STRONG7801 • Chronic excoriation
👁️ Eye irritation
MODERATEVarious • Facial involvement
💊 Medication side effects
MODERATEVarious • Systemic therapy monitoring
Claim Timeline
Dermatology intake
Establish diagnosis; baseline BSA
File claim
Upload photos; list all systemic meds
C&P skin
Bring med list; describe flare frequency
Decision
Compare to correct BSA/therapy row
Increase / appeal
Add pharmacy printouts if weeks/year unclear
Higher Ratings — Practical Moves
Prove weeks of systemic therapy
Calendar each course—VA often disputes duration without pharmacy evidence.
Expose vs total BSA
Schedule may give alternative paths—ensure examiner addresses both where applicable.
Add-on scar / disfigurement
Facial or neck involvement may implicate additional DCs—do not assume one code captures everything.
Common Mistakes
No BSA numbers
“Severe eczema” without % rarely supports the correct row.
Topicals only
Higher tiers often need systemic therapy proof—document escalation.
Stale exams
Fluctuating disease—submit recent dermatology visits for increases.
Ignoring MH secondaries
Depression/anxiety claims need symptom links beyond generic statements.
FAQs
▸ Eczema vs psoriasis rating?
Different DCs may apply—accurate diagnosis drives the correct rating table.
▸ Burn pits / PACT Act?
Qualifying veterans may have presumptive paths for certain conditions—verify current law and eligibility with a VSO.
▸ Can I work at 60%?
Yes—schedular ratings are not unemployability unless you pursue TDIU with evidence of inability to secure gainful employment.
Cross-Links
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information only based on public VA regulations (38 CFR) and va.gov resources. It is not legal, medical, or claims assistance. Ratings and service connections are decided case-by-case by the VA based on the individual veteran’s evidence. We do not prepare claims, generate documents, or provide personalized advice. Always consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or your physician for help with your specific situation. Verify the latest rules on va.gov.
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