What are the VA rating percentages for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal)?

Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) (DC 7804) is rated at 30%, 20%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804. Five or more scars that are unstable or painful.

What rates 30% for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804 (DC 7804), a 30% rating for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) requires: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful.

What rates 20% for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804 (DC 7804), a 20% rating for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) requires: Three or four scars that are unstable or painful.

What rates 10% for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804 (DC 7804), a 10% rating for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) requires: One or two scars that are unstable or painful.

What happens during a C&P exam for Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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CLAIM RECON INTEL

Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal)

Q: What evidence do I need for a Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 780438 C.F.R. § 4.118

Diagnostic Code

DC 7804

38 C.F.R. § 4.118

Rating Range

10–30%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.118

Surgical Scars (Musculoskeletal) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7804 of 38 CFR § 4.118, DC 7804 across 3 severity tiers (30% / 20% / 10%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Painful, unstable, or functionally limiting surgical scars from orthopedic procedures affecting underlying joint motion or muscle function

Rating Criteria

30%

Five or more scars that are unstable or painful.

20%

Three or four scars that are unstable or painful.

10%

One or two scars that are unstable or painful.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.118 (Skin). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.118 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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