Visible scarring or disfigurement on the head, face, or neck from burns or other causes.
Medical records and examination findings are central to establishing a rating under this code. A VA or private examiner's report should document whether there is visible or palpable tissue loss and identify which facial features — nose, chin, forehead, eyes, ears, cheeks, or lips — show gross distortion or asymmetry. The examiner should also measure and describe any scars present, noting length, width at the widest point, whether the surface is elevated or depressed, and whether the scar is adherent to underlying tissue. Findings about skin pigmentation changes, abnormal skin texture, missing soft tissue, or indurated and inflexible skin — and the size of any affected area — help establish which characteristics of disfigurement apply and how many are present. The regulation specifically allows VA to consider unretouched color photographs when evaluating these criteria, so photographs taken at different times can be relevant. If you have pain, limited movement, or nerve-related symptoms from the scar, records documenting those effects separately can support evaluation under additional diagnostic codes.
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.
