Benign skin growths

Because the rating follows what the growths cause, the evidence needs to match the specific criteria for whichever diagnostic code applies.

For head, face, or neck disfigurement, medical records and examination findings should document visible or palpable tissue loss, which features are distorted or asymmetric, and how many of the eight characteristics of disfigurement are present, such as scar length, width, pigmentation changes, abnormal skin texture, elevated or depressed contour, or skin that is indurated and inflexible. Unretouched color photographs are specifically considered under DC 7800.

For body scars under DC 7801 or 7802, exam findings should document the total area of each scar in square inches or centimeters and whether underlying soft tissue is damaged. For DC 7804, records should show whether any scar is unstable, meaning the skin over it breaks down frequently, or whether it causes pain, and how many such scars exist.

For functional impairment, records showing how the affected area limits movement or use of a body part support a rating under the appropriate code. Your own statements describing how symptoms affect work and daily activities can also help show the degree of impairment.