VA Diagnostic Code 7816Psoriasis.
Rated from 0% to 60% under § 4.118. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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Summary
Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for the Skin
What each rating requires
The VA assigns the highest level your evidence actually supports. Read up the stack until your records stop matching.
- 60%
At least one of the following
- 60%
Constant or near-constant systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period
- 30%
At least one of the following
- 10%
At least one of the following
- 0%
No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following
General rating formula
General Rating Formula For The Skin
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Rate complications such as psoriatic arthritis and other clinical manifestations (e.g., oral mucosa, nails) separately under the appropriate diagnostic code
VA Disability Ratings for Psoriasis (Diagnostic Code 7816)
Understanding Psoriasis and How the VA Rates It
Psoriasis is a skin condition rated by the VA under Diagnostic Code 7816, part of the skin regulations found in § 4.118. It is evaluated using the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
If you are living with psoriasis connected to your service, understanding how the VA approaches ratings can help you know what to expect from the process.
Available Rating Levels
Under the General Rating Formula for the Skin, psoriasis may be assigned one of the following disability ratings:
60% Rating
Assigned when there is constant or near-constant systemic therapy required over the past 12-month period. Systemic therapy includes, but is not limited to:
- Corticosteroids
- Phototherapy
- Retinoids
- Biologics
- Photochemotherapy
- Psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA)
- Other immunosuppressive drugs
30% Rating
Assigned based on the criteria within the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
10% Rating
Assigned based on the criteria within the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
0% Rating
Assigned when no more than topical therapy was required over the past 12-month period, along with the applicable skin formula criteria.
What the VA Looks For
When rating psoriasis, the VA evaluates the condition under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. A key factor across the rating levels is the type of treatment required over the past 12-month period — ranging from topical therapy only (at the lowest level) up to constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids, biologics, or other immunosuppressive drugs (at the highest level).
Important Note on Related Complications
Complications and related conditions are rated separately. The VA notes that complications such as psoriatic arthritis and other clinical manifestations — for example, effects on the oral mucosa or nails — should be rated separately under the appropriate diagnostic code.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 7816 under § 4.118. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.118, diagnostic code 7816. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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File under diagnostic code 7816 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Skin codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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