- Diagnostic Code
- 7817
- CFR Section
- §4.118 — Skin
Rating Tiers
Generalized involvement of the skin with systemic manifestations (such as fever, weight loss, or hypoproteinemia) AND one of the following | No current treatment due to a documented history of treatment failure with 2 or more treatment regimens
No current treatment due to a documented history of treatment failure with 1 treatment regimen
Any extent of involvement of the skin, and any of the following therapies required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12-month period: systemic therapy such as therapeutic doses of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive drugs, retinoids, PUVA, UVB treatments, biologics, or electron beam therapy
Any extent of involvement of the skin, and any of the following therapies required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over the past 12-month period: systemic therapy such as therapeutic doses of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive drugs, retinoids, PUVA, UVB treatments, biologics, or electron beam therapy
Any extent of involvement of the skin, and no more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period
What Raters Look For
Based on M21-1 adjudication criteria for Skin conditions. These are the factors a VA rater evaluates when assigning a rating percentage.
M21-1 III.iv.4.H- •Percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) affected — documented in dermatology notes
- •Location: whether the affected area includes exposed skin (face, hands, etc.)
- •Treatment required: topical only vs. systemic therapy (oral medications, biologics, phototherapy)
- •Frequency of medical visits for treatment or flares
- •Disfigurement — scarring, discoloration, or tissue loss visible on exam
- •Impact on daily activities and occupational function