---
title: "DC 7821 - Cutaneous manifestations of collagen-vascular diseases not listed elsewhere (including scleroderma, calcinosis cutis, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and dermatomyositis)."
diagnostic_code: "7821"
body_system: "Skin"
cfr_section: "§ 4.118"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/skin/7821-cutaneous-manifestations-of-collagen-vascular-diseases-not"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.118"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:18:39.133931Z"
---

# DC 7821 - Cutaneous manifestations of collagen-vascular diseases not listed elsewhere (including scleroderma, calcinosis cutis, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and dermatomyositis).

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 |

# VA Disability Rating: Cutaneous Manifestations of Collagen-Vascular Diseases (Diagnostic Code 7821)

## Understanding This Condition

**Diagnostic Code 7821** covers cutaneous (skin) manifestations of collagen-vascular diseases that are not listed elsewhere in the rating schedule. This includes conditions such as:

- Scleroderma
- Calcinosis cutis
- Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
- Dermatomyositis

These are conditions that affect the skin as part of a broader collagen-vascular disease process. This condition is rated under the **Skin** body system and appears in **§ 4.118** of the Code of Federal Regulations.

## How the VA Rates This Condition

Because this condition falls under the **General Rating Formula for the Skin**, it is evaluated according to that formula. The VA assigns a percentage rating based on the criteria you meet.

### Available Rating Levels

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **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%** | Assigned when at least one of the criteria at this level is met under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. |
| **10%** | Assigned when at least one of the criteria at this level is met under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. |
| **0%** | No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period, and at least one of the criteria at this level is met. |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating this condition, the VA considers the **type and frequency of treatment required over the past 12-month period**. Key factors include:

- Whether **constant or near-constant systemic therapy** was required (such as corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs) — which corresponds to the highest rating level.
- Whether treatment was limited to **topical therapy only** — which corresponds to the lowest (0%) rating level.

Because this condition is evaluated under the **General Rating Formula for the Skin**, the specific criteria for each rating level are drawn from that formula.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 7821 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