Discoid lupus erythematosus VA Rating
How VA rates Discoid lupus erythematosus under diagnostic code 7809, what evidence decides the percentage, and the reasons these claims get denied or under-rated.
Discoid lupus erythematosus is rated under diagnostic code 7809. In the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities it appears as Discoid lupus erythematosus, within the Infectious Diseases section of 38 CFR Part 4.
The essentials
| Diagnostic code | 7809 |
|---|---|
| Rating schedule name | Discoid lupus erythematosus |
| Body system | Infectious Diseases |
| Examination form | RHEU Systemic lupus erythematosus & other autoimmune diseases |
How VA rates discoid lupus erythematosus
Discoid lupus erythematosus has no percentage criteria of its own. It is rated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin, the same scale VA applies to every condition in that group — so the percentage turns entirely on how your symptoms measure against these levels, not on the diagnosis itself.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or; or 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% | Characteristic lesions involving 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12-month period |
| 10% | Characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected; or |
- Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for the Skin
- Note: Do not combine with ratings under DC 6350
Criteria quoted from 38 CFR Part 4, Subpart B (eCFR edition 2026-01-01). Where a rating depends on measurements, the figures in your examination report are what decide it — which is why an examination that skipped a required measurement is worth challenging.
What evidence decides the rating
For infectious diseases conditions, these are the findings VA weighs when assigning a percentage. If your examination did not address them, the examination may be inadequate for rating purposes — which is itself an argument on appeal.
- Whether the disease is active or resolved, and what residuals remain
- For chronic fatigue syndrome: debilitating fatigue that reduces daily activity to less than 50% of pre-illness level, and whether it is incapacitating
Why these claims get denied or under-rated
These are the failure patterns we see most often on discoid lupus erythematosus and related infectious diseases claims:
- Residuals were never separately rated after the active disease resolved
- Undiagnosed illness and Gulf War presumptive pathways were not considered
If your claim was denied or under-rated
A denial is not the end of the claim. Which route is right depends on why VA decided the way it did:
- Higher-Level Review — when the evidence already in the file supports a grant and VA got the decision wrong, or the examination was inadequate.
- Supplemental Claim — when you have new and relevant evidence, such as a private nexus opinion.
- Board Appeal — when you need a Veterans Law Judge to decide, or want a hearing.
- Clear and Unmistakable Error — when a decision more than a year old contains an undebatable error, which can recover retroactive pay.
Effective dates matter as much as the percentage. See effective dates and back pay for how far back an award can reach.
Sources
Related conditions
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This page is educational information, not legal advice. VA rules and deadlines change — always confirm details with the official source (38 CFR, M21-1) or your accredited claims agent. Borne Accredited Claims is an accredited VA claims agent under 38 CFR §14.629 and is not part of, or endorsed by, the Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not guarantee any specific outcome.