Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 7806
Dermatitis or Eczema Secondary to Scars, Unstable or Painful
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 Dermatitis or Eczema when it develops after Scars, Unstable or Painful.
Why Dermatitis or Eczema Is Linked to Scars, Unstable or Painful
Irritated areas may be prone to infections
Primary 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.
Secondary condition · VASRD 7806
Dermatitis or Eczema
A chronic skin condition causing rashes, redness, itching, or flaking, often worsened by allergens or stress.
Dermatitis or Eczema VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Dermatitis or Eczema the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Scars, Unstable or Painful — severity of Dermatitis or Eczema itself determines the percentage.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | More than 40 percent of the whole body or of exposed areas involved, or constant or near-constant systemic therapy over the past 12 months. |
| 30% | 20 to 40 percent of the whole body or of exposed areas involved, or systemic therapy for six weeks or more but not constantly over the past 12 months. |
| 10% | At least 5 but under 20 percent of the whole body or of exposed areas involved, or intermittent systemic therapy totalling under six weeks over the past 12 months. |
| 0% | Under 5 percent of the whole body or of exposed areas involved, with no more than topical therapy over the past 12 months. |
Example combined rating
10% Scars, Unstable or Painful + 10% Dermatitis or Eczema = 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 Dermatitis or Eczema Secondary Claim
- •Dermatology records with area measurement (percentage of body affected)
- •Photos showing visible skin lesions
- •Medication history (topical or oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressants)
Common questions about Dermatitis or Eczema secondary to Scars, Unstable or Painful
- Can Dermatitis or Eczema be service-connected as secondary to Scars, Unstable or Painful?
- 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. Irritated areas may be prone to infections You'll need a current Dermatitis or Eczema diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Sc…
- What VA rating can I get for Dermatitis or Eczema as a secondary condition?
- Dermatitis or Eczema is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 7806 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 60%, 30%, 10%, 0%. The rating depends on the severity of Dermatitis or Eczema itself, not on the severity of Scars, Unstable or Painful.
- How does a secondary Dermatitis or Eczema 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, Unstable or Painful combined with a 10% rating for Dermatitis or Eczema (example figures) produces a combined rating of 19%, not 20%. Approving Dermatitis or Eczema as secondary still typically raise…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Dermatitis or Eczema as secondary to Scars, Unstable or Painful?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Dermatitis or Eczema diagnosis includes: Dermatology records with area measurement (percentage of body affected); Photos showing visible skin lesions; Medication history (topical or oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressants). For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treati…
Primary condition
Full Scars, Unstable or Painful guide
Secondary condition
Full Dermatitis or Eczema guide
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