VASRD 7804 · Skin Conditions
Scars, Unstable or Painful at 20% VA Disability Rating
Data last updated September 23, 2026
Three or four scars that are unstable, painful, or both.
20% combined rating: single veteran, no dependents
$356.66
$4,279.92/year · tax-free · effective December 1, 2025
VA pays on the combined rating, not per condition: this is the amount when 20% is the veteran's combined rating, after all separate ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.
The full 20% pay chart, with dependentsCombine this rating with others
VA Rating Criteria for 20%
Three or four scars that are unstable or painful
20% Pay by Household (2026)
Monthly compensation at a 20% combined rating. Additional compensation for dependents starts at a combined rating of 30% (38 U.S.C. § 1115), so below that the single rate applies whatever the household.
| Single (no dependents) | $356.66 |
Lower tier
10% Scars, Unstable or Painful
$180.42 /mo single
Higher tier
30% Scars, Unstable or Painful
$552.47 /mo single
Common questions about 20% for Scars, Unstable or Painful
How much does a 20% VA rating for Scars, Unstable or Painful pay?
VA pays on the combined rating, not per condition: this is the amount when 20% is the veteran's combined rating, after all separate ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25. At a 20% combined rating, a single veteran receives $356.66 per month ($4,279.92/year) under the 2026 VA rates, effective December 1, 2025. VA disability compensation is tax-free. Additional compensation for dependents starts at a combined rating of 30% (38 U.S.C. § 1115), so below that the single rate applies whatever the household.
What does it take to get a 20% rating for Scars, Unstable or Painful?
Three or four scars that are unstable or painful.
What's the difference between 20% and 30% for Scars, Unstable or Painful?
20%: Three or four scars that are unstable or painful. 30%: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful.
Can a secondary condition raise my rating above 20%?
Yes, up to 100%. A condition service-connected as secondary to Scars, Unstable or Painful gets its own rating, which VA combines with your other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25, so your combined rating can end up higher than 20%.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.118, Schedule of ratings, skin conditions (Diagnostic Code 7804)
- VA.gov, 2026 veteran disability compensation rates, effective December 1, 2025
Pay amounts on this page were last checked against VA.gov on September 22, 2026.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
See all rating tiers and evidence guidance
Full VASRD criteria, best evidence, exam pitfalls, and secondary conditions for Scars, Unstable or Painful are on the main condition page.
View full Scars, Unstable or Painful guide
VA Calc: Disability Pay
Combine your ratings & see monthly pay on your iPhone · Works offline