Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7804
Scars, Unstable or Painful Secondary to Scars, Other
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Scars, Unstable or Painful when it develops after Scars, Other.
Why Scars, Unstable or Painful Is Linked to Scars, Other
Recurrent opening of scar
Primary condition · VASRD 7805
Scars, Other
Scars that don’t fall into standard categories but still cause pain or limitation.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7804
Scars, Unstable or Painful
DC 7804 evaluates scars that are unstable, painful, or both, and it rates them by count — how many scars qualify, not their size, location, or appearance. Note (1) defines an unstable scar as one where, for any reason, there is frequent loss of covering of skin over the scar. A painful scar and an unstable scar count the same toward the tier, and where a single scar is both, Note (2) adds 10 percent on top.
Scars, Unstable or Painful VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Scars, Unstable or Painful the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Scars, Other — severity of Scars, Unstable or Painful itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
10% Scars, Other + 10% Scars, Unstable or Painful = 19%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 10% combine to 19%, not 20%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Scars, Unstable or Painful Secondary Claim
- •Exam or treatment notes that identify each scar separately and state, for each one, whether it is painful on examination, unstable, or both.
- •Wound-care or dermatology records covering the occasions when a scar lost its covering of skin, since Note (1) makes the frequency of that loss the test for instability.
- •Photographs of each scar with its location, taken at more than one point in time where instability is at issue.
- •A clear total count of the qualifying scars, which is the figure the tiers are drawn on.
Common questions about Scars, Unstable or Painful secondary to Scars, Other
- Can Scars, Unstable or Painful be service-connected as secondary to Scars, Other?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Recurrent opening of scar You'll need a current Scars, Unstable or Painful diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Scars, Other…
- What VA rating can I get for Scars, Unstable or Painful as a secondary condition?
- Scars, Unstable or Painful is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7804 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 30%, 20%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Scars, Unstable or Painful itself, not on the severity of Scars, Other.
- How does a secondary Scars, Unstable or Painful claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 10% rating for Scars, Other combined with a 10% rating for Scars, Unstable or Painful (example figures) produces a combined rating of 19%, not 20%. Approving Scars, Unstable or Painful as secondary still typically raises…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Scars, Unstable or Painful as secondary to Scars, Other?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Scars, Unstable or Painful diagnosis includes: Exam or treatment notes that identify each scar separately and state, for each one, whether it is painful on examination, unstable, or both.; Wound-care or dermatology records covering the occasions when a scar lost its covering of skin,…
Primary condition
Full Scars, Other guide
Secondary condition
Full Scars, Unstable or Painful guide
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