The VA rates eczema and psoriasis under 38 CFR 4.118, Diagnostic Codes 7806 and 7816, using the same General Rating Formula for the Skin. Ratings run 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60%, based on two factors: how much of your body or exposed skin the condition covers, and how much systemic treatment (like oral or injected steroids or immunosuppressants) you needed over the past 12 months. A veteran with plaques covering more than 40% of their body, or who needs near-constant systemic therapy, qualifies for the maximum 60% rating. This guide breaks down every threshold, shows how much each rating pays in 2026, and walks through how to file or increase a claim.
How the VA Rates Eczema and Psoriasis
Eczema (dermatitis) falls under Diagnostic Code 7806. Psoriasis falls under Diagnostic Code 7816. Both use the same rating criteria because the VA groups most inflammatory skin conditions under one general formula. The rating depends on whichever factor gives you the higher score: the percentage of your body affected, or the type and duration of treatment required.
"Systemic therapy" means treatment that works through your whole body, such as pills, injections, or infusions (corticosteroids, biologics, or immunosuppressants like methotrexate). "Topical therapy" means creams, ointments, or lotions applied directly to the skin. Topical-only treatment, no matter how often you use it, cannot raise your rating above 0% unless the body coverage percentage does.
VA Rating Table for Eczema and Psoriasis (DC 7806 / 7816)
| Rating | Body Coverage | Treatment Required (past 12 months) | 2026 Monthly Payment (no dependents) |
|---|
| 0% | Less than 5% of entire body or exposed areas | Topical therapy only | $0 |
| 10% | 5% to less than 20% of entire body or exposed areas | Intermittent systemic therapy for less than 6 weeks total | $180.42 |
| 30% | 20% to 40% of entire body or exposed areas | Systemic therapy for 6 weeks or more, but not constant | $552.47 |
| 60% | More than 40% of entire body or exposed areas | Near-constant or constant systemic therapy | $1,435.02 |
Payment amounts shown are for a single veteran with no dependents, effective December 2025 under the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment. If you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents and your rating is 30% or higher, your monthly payment increases. Check your exact amount with the benefits screener.
Eczema vs. Psoriasis: Are They Rated Differently?
No. Both conditions use the same body-coverage and treatment thresholds under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. The only difference is the diagnostic code number used on your rating decision (7806 for dermatitis/eczema, 7816 for psoriasis), which mainly matters for VA's internal tracking and for any related secondary conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, which gets its own separate rating under the musculoskeletal codes.
If you have both eczema and psoriasis, or a skin condition alongside another dermatological diagnosis affecting the same areas, the VA generally assigns one combined rating for the affected skin rather than stacking separate ratings for each diagnosis. Separate ratings are only possible when conditions affect clearly distinct, non-overlapping areas of the body.
What Counts as "Body Coverage"
Body coverage is measured two ways, and the VA uses whichever produces the higher percentage:
- Percentage of the entire body affected by the rash, plaques, or lesions.
- Percentage of exposed areas affected, meaning the face, neck, and hands, areas visible without clothing in everyday settings.
A veteran with psoriasis limited to the hands and face might hit the exposed-area threshold even if the total body percentage is small. This is why documenting exactly where your condition appears, with dated photos, matters for your claim.
Systemic Therapy: What Qualifies
Systemic therapy includes any treatment that isn't applied directly to the skin:
- Oral corticosteroids (prednisone)
- Injectable biologics (Humira, Enbrel, Cosentyx, Skyrizi, and similar)
- Oral immunosuppressants (methotrexate, cyclosporine)
- Phototherapy is generally treated similarly to systemic therapy in VA rating decisions when it's a significant, ongoing treatment burden
A prescription for a topical steroid cream, even a strong one, does not count as systemic therapy for rating purposes. If your dermatologist has moved you to injectable biologics or oral immunosuppressants, that treatment history is one of the strongest pieces of evidence for a 30% or 60% rating, regardless of how the skin looks on exam day.
How to File a VA Claim for Eczema or Psoriasis
Step 1: Establish Service Connection
You need to show three things:
- A current diagnosis of eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis
- An in-service event, exposure, or aggravation (a skin condition that started or worsened during active duty)
- A medical nexus linking the current condition to service
Service connection can also be established as secondary to another service-connected condition. Chronic stress and PTSD, certain medications for service-connected conditions, and environmental exposures (including burn pits covered under the PACT Act) have all supported secondary skin condition claims in prior VA and Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
- Service treatment records showing the condition or a triggering event
- Current dermatology records showing diagnosis, treatment history, and body coverage
- A private medical opinion (nexus letter) if the connection to service isn't obvious from your records
- Photos of affected skin taken over time, ideally showing flare-ups on different dates
- A treatment log showing dates and duration of any systemic medications
Step 3: File the Claim
File online at VA.gov, through a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) like the DAV or VFW, or with an accredited claims agent or attorney. Use VA Form 21-526EZ for an original claim.
Step 4: Attend the C&P Exam
The Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is where a VA examiner (or contracted provider) measures body coverage and reviews your treatment history. Wear clothing that lets the examiner see affected areas, and bring your own photos and treatment records in case your flare-up isn't active that day. Skin conditions that flare and clear can be undercounted at a single exam, so documentation from your treating dermatologist covering the full past 12 months carries real weight.
Step 5: Review the Decision
If your rating decision doesn't match the severity shown in your medical records, you can file a Higher-Level Review, submit a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, or appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Many successful increases come from resubmitting with a full 12-month treatment history rather than relying only on the day-of-exam snapshot.
Increasing an Existing Rating
If your eczema or psoriasis has worsened, you don't have to wait for a scheduled reevaluation. File a claim for increase with updated medical evidence showing either greater body coverage or a step up in treatment (moving from topical to systemic therapy, for example). A clear record of prescription changes over the past year is often the single most persuasive piece of evidence in an increase claim.
Can Skin Conditions Support a TDIU Claim?
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) pays veterans at the 100% rate even if their combined schedular rating is below 100%, as long as service-connected conditions prevent substantially gainful employment. Severe, treatment-resistant eczema or psoriasis (rated 60%) can support a TDIU claim on its own, or combine with other service-connected conditions if your combined rating reaches 70% with at least one condition rated 40% or higher. Widespread, disfiguring, or constantly flaring skin conditions that interfere with public-facing jobs are among the stronger fact patterns for this benefit.
Scars and Disfigurement
Scarring caused by chronic eczema or psoriasis, such as from severe scratching, secondary infection, or skin thickening, is generally not rated separately from the underlying skin condition unless it causes distinct additional impairment, like pain, instability, or disfigurement on the head, face, or neck. If scarring is significant, ask your representative whether a separate scar rating under the disfigurement codes applies to your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum VA rating for eczema or psoriasis?
The maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Codes 7806 and 7816 is 60%, which applies when the condition covers more than 40% of the entire body or exposed areas, or requires near-constant systemic therapy over the past 12 months.
Does psoriasis automatically qualify for VA disability?
No. Psoriasis must be service-connected, meaning it started or was aggravated during active duty, or is secondary to an already service-connected condition. A diagnosis alone doesn't guarantee a rating; you need medical evidence linking it to service.
Can I get a VA rating for eczema caused by stress or PTSD?
Yes, potentially, as a secondary condition. If a doctor can link your eczema flare-ups to a service-connected condition like PTSD, either through direct causation or aggravation, you can file a secondary service connection claim.
Does a topical steroid cream count toward a higher VA rating?
No. Topical therapy alone, regardless of frequency or strength, keeps a claim at the 0% level unless body coverage alone meets a higher threshold. Only systemic treatments (oral or injectable) count toward the 10%, 30%, and 60% treatment criteria.
How much does a 30% VA rating for psoriasis pay in 2026?
A 30% rating pays $552.47 per month for a veteran with no dependents, effective December 2025. Veterans with a spouse, children, or dependent parents receive additional monthly compensation at the 30% level and above.
Can I get separate ratings for eczema and psoriasis if I have both?
Usually no, if both conditions affect the same or overlapping skin areas. The VA typically assigns one combined rating based on the higher-scoring criteria. Separate ratings are possible only when the conditions affect clearly distinct body areas.
What happens if my skin condition flares up only occasionally?
The VA is required to consider your condition over the entire past 12-month period, not just how your skin looks on the day of the C&P exam. Bring photos and treatment records covering flare-ups from throughout the year to support your claim.
Not sure what else you might qualify for alongside VA disability? Run a free check with the Benefits Navigator screener to see other programs, including health coverage and income support, that may apply to your household.
