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7829
§ 4.118 Schedule of ratings—skin.

Chloracne (chemical-induced severe acne)

Severe acne-like skin condition due to toxic chemical exposure

What the rating means

VA rates chloracne under diagnostic code 7829. The possible ratings are 30%, 20%, 10%, and 0%, based on the type of acne lesions you have and where on your body they appear.

The highest rating, 30%, requires deep acne — meaning deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts — covering 40 percent or more of the face and neck. A 20% rating applies when deep acne affects the intertriginous areas: the underarm area, the anogenital region, skin folds of the breasts, or the skin between the fingers or toes. A 10% rating covers deep acne affecting less than 40 percent of the face and neck, or deep acne on other parts of the body that are not intertriginous areas. Superficial acne — comedones, papules, or pustules — of any extent receives a 0% rating.

If scarring or disfigurement of the head, face, or neck is the predominant problem, VA may instead rate the condition under the diagnostic codes for disfigurement or scars. If you have more than one skin condition, separate ratings are only allowed when separate areas of skin are involved; if they overlap the same area, only the highest rating applies.

Evidence that helps

To support a rating for chloracne, the most important evidence is documentation of the type and location of your acne lesions. Medical records or VA examination findings that identify deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts — and distinguish them from superficial lesions such as comedones, papules, or pustules — are central to reaching the 10%, 20%, or 30% levels.

For the 30% level, records or exam notes should show that deep lesions cover 40 percent or more of the face and neck. For 20%, documentation should confirm deep lesions in intertriginous areas such as the underarms, anogenital region, breast folds, or between digits. For 10%, records should show deep lesions covering less than 40 percent of the face and neck, or deep lesions elsewhere on the body outside of intertriginous areas.

Photographs taken at medical visits can help document the extent and location of lesions over time. If scarring or disfigurement has developed, records describing the appearance and location of those changes would support rating under the scar or disfigurement codes. Statements from you describing how your skin condition affects daily activities may also be relevant to the overall picture.

Secondary conditions

Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.