Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7801
Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) 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 With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) when it develops after Scars, Other.
Why Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) Is Linked to Scars, Other
Can form at scar site
Primary condition · VASRD 7805
Scars, Other
Scars that don’t fall into standard categories but still cause pain or limitation.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7801
Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck)
DC 7801 covers burn scars, and scars from any other cause, that are not on the head, face, or neck and that are associated with underlying soft tissue damage. That association with the tissue beneath the scar is what places a scar under this code rather than DC 7802 — not how deep the scar looks and not whether it runs in a straight line. The rating is then set by area: how much of the body the qualifying scar or scars cover, starting at 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.).
Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Scars, Other — severity of Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) itself determines the percentage.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | Total affected area of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or more. |
| 30% | Total affected area of at least 72 but under 144 square inches (465–929 sq. cm.). |
| 20% | Total affected area of at least 12 but under 72 square inches (77–465 sq. cm.). |
| 10% | Total affected area of at least 6 but under 12 square inches (39–77 sq. cm.). Below 39 sq. cm. this code is noncompensable. |
Example combined rating
10% Scars, Other + 20% Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) = 28%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 20% combine to 28%, not 30%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) Secondary Claim
- •An exam or dermatology note giving the measured area of each scar in square inches or square centimeters.
- •A finding in the record stating whether the scar is associated with underlying soft tissue damage, which is this code's threshold question.
- •Operative, burn-unit, or wound-care records from the original injury describing what the wound involved beneath the skin.
- •Photographs identifying where each scar sits on the body, so the affected zones under Note (1) are clear.
Common questions about Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) secondary to Scars, Other
- Can Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) 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. Can form at scar site You'll need a current Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking…
- What VA rating can I get for Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) as a secondary condition?
- Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7801 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head,…
- How does a secondary Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) 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 20% rating for Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) (example figures) produces a combined rating of 28%, not 30%. Approving Scars With Under…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) as secondary to Scars, Other?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) diagnosis includes: An exam or dermatology note giving the measured area of each scar in square inches or square centimeters.; A finding in the record stating whether the scar is associated with underlying soft…
Primary condition
Full Scars, Other guide
Secondary condition
Full Scars With Underlying Soft Tissue Damage (Not of the Head, Face, or Neck) guide
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