---
title: "DC 7816 - Psoriasis."
diagnostic_code: "7816"
body_system: "Skin"
cfr_section: "§ 4.118"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/skin/7816-psoriasis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.118"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:16:50.004621Z"
---

# DC 7816 - Psoriasis.

Rated under § 4.118. Body system: Skin.

Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for the Skin

General Rating Formula For The Skin

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 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 |

## Notes

- 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.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.118