VA Diagnostic Code 7831Alopecia areata:
Rated from 0% to 10% under § 4.118. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 10%
With loss of all body hair
- 0%
With loss of hair limited to scalp and face
Alopecia Areata (VA Diagnostic Code 7831)
Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a skin condition that causes hair loss. Under the VA rating schedule, it is evaluated as a skin disorder under 38 CFR § 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7831.
The VA assigns a disability rating based on how much of the body is affected by hair loss.
Available Rating Levels
The VA uses two rating levels for alopecia areata:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | With loss of all body hair |
| 0% | With loss of hair limited to the scalp and face |
What the VA Looks For
When rating alopecia areata under Diagnostic Code 7831, the VA focuses on the extent of hair loss:
- A 10% rating applies when there is loss of all body hair.
- A 0% (noncompensable) rating applies when hair loss is limited to the scalp and face.
The key distinction between these levels is whether hair loss is confined to the scalp and face, or extends to all body hair.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.118, diagnostic code 7831. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.
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Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.
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File under diagnostic code 7831 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Skin codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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