Skin cancer VA Rating
How VA rates Skin cancer under diagnostic code 7818, what evidence decides the percentage, and the reasons these claims get denied or under-rated.
Skin cancer is rated under diagnostic code 7818. In the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities it appears as Malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma), within the Skin section of 38 CFR Part 4.
The essentials
| Diagnostic code | 7818 |
|---|---|
| Rating schedule name | Malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma) |
| Body system | Skin |
| Examination form | DERM Skin diseases |
Other names for this condition
VA and treating providers may use different terms for the same condition. If your records use any of these, they may still support a claim for Skin cancer:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- dermatofibrosarcoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
What evidence decides the rating
For skin 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.
- Percentage of total body area and of exposed body area affected — measured, not estimated
- Whether systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressives was required, and for how many weeks in a twelve-month period
- Photographs taken during an active flare, since skin conditions are often quiescent at the exam
Why these claims get denied or under-rated
These are the failure patterns we see most often on skin cancer and related skin claims:
- The examination was scheduled outside a flare, so body-surface-area was recorded as minimal
- Systemic therapy was documented but the duration in weeks was not, so the higher criteria could not be applied
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
We can file your appeal for you
You don't have to navigate the VA alone. As your accredited claims agent, we pick the right review lane, build the evidence, and argue your case — start to finish.
Appeal Your DecisionKeep reading
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.