Reference: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816

Sources & Related Guides

What is the VA rating for Psoriasis?

Evaluated based on plaque distribution, surface area involvement, or requirements for biologics/systemic immunosuppressants.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

Evaluated based on plaque distribution, surface area involvement, or requirements for biologics/systemic immunosuppressants.

EXPLORE THIS CONDITION

Explore Psoriasis Criteria & Tools

Start AssessmentAnswer condition-scoped questions using documented findings from your records or exam notes.ContinuePercentage GuideSee the published percentage tiers and what changes between them.ContinueSecondary ConditionsSee conditions commonly connected to this one in VA claims.Continue

Save this condition to find it again later. Designed to be stored in this browser's local storage. Lost if you clear browser data or switch devices or browsers.

Common Questions & FAQs

Start with your question

What are you trying to understand about psoriasis?

Compare your records in assessmentRead overview

Overview

About this condition

Evaluated based on plaque distribution, surface area involvement, or requirements for biologics/systemic immunosuppressants.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816

This guide provides regulatory reference criteria under 38 CFR Part 4. RatingScope does not provide medical diagnoses or predict adjudicative outcomes.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

60%

Highest listed pathway

More than 40% of entire body or more than 80% of exposed areas affected, or constant systemic/biologic therapy.

What separates the next level: Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816 establishes the 60% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 60% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 60% criteria under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816.
Medical evidence
Skin Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960F-2); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
psoriasis; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7816

30%

Next: 60%

20% to 40% of body or 40% to 80% of exposed areas, or 6+ weeks systemic treatment over past 12 months.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816 establishes the 30% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 30% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 30% criteria under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816.
Medical evidence
Skin Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960F-2); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
psoriasis; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7816

10%

Next: 30%

5% to 20% of body or 20% to 40% of exposed areas, or 6+ weeks topical therapy over past 12 months.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 30% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816 establishes the 10% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 10% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 10% criteria under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816.
Medical evidence
Skin Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960F-2); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
psoriasis; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7816

0%

Next: 10%

Localized plaque psoriasis requiring intermittent topical treatment.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 10% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816 establishes the 0% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 0% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 0% criteria under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7816.
Medical evidence
Skin Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960F-2); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
psoriasis; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 7816

Learn

Understand the details behind the criteria

Use these short guides to connect published terms with the records and observations that may clarify them.

Plaque extent, exposed area involvement, and systemic biologic therapy

Psoriasis evaluations measure the extent of skin coverage and the intensity of required treatment, separating topical therapy from systemic biologic or immunosuppressive therapy.

  • Evaluations look at the percentage of skin affected across the entire body, with special attention given to exposed areas like the face, neck, and hands.
  • Use of advanced systemic treatments, such as biologic injections or oral immunosuppressive agents, reflects severe disease that cannot be controlled by topical ointments alone.
  • The schedule assesses treatment requirements over the past 12 months to account for remissions and flare-ups.

Records to review: Clinical examination notes estimating total body surface area and exposed area involvement; Specialist dermatology records documenting biologic therapy orders and injections; Treatment timelines tracking medication courses over the previous 12 months.

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Psoriasis DBQ

The DBQ organizes diagnosis and clinical findings for Psoriasis.

A DBQ is useful context, but RatingScope does not require uploads and this hub does not accept records.

Diagnosis and treatment records

Treatment notes can show the current condition, course over time, therapy, and clinician observations.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

VA forms and DBQs (from VA.gov)

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

The public DBQ shows the kinds of findings an examiner may record. A veteran may review it, or may share it with a private clinician, before a C&P exam. RatingScope does not tell any person what to submit.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

How is Psoriasis evaluated?

Evaluated based on plaque distribution, surface area involvement, or requirements for biologics/systemic immunosuppressants.

What separates the 60% rating from adjacent levels?

Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

What separates the 30% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 10% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 30% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 0% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 10% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Related Conditions

Continue learning through connected topics

Ready when you are

Psoriasis is evaluated under the Skin Conditions assessment

RatingScope compares Psoriasis records using the published criteria in the Skin Conditions assessment. Compare your documented records against the criteria.

Informational guidance only. RatingScope does not predict, decide, or guarantee VA outcomes.

Compare records in the Skin Conditions assessment

Learn More

Continue Understanding

External source/reference

38 CFR 4.97, DC 7816

Official regulation source for Psoriasis. Use the official source for current rule text.

Open 38 CFR 4.97, DC 7816

External source/reference

VA Psoriasis DBQ

Public VA DBQ showing the kinds of findings that may be documented.

Open VA Psoriasis DBQ

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Psoriasis

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Psoriasis yet.

Educational Guides & Evidence Resources

In-depth analysis of DBQ forms, medical evidence thresholds, and rating schedules for Psoriasis.

Psoriasis & Eczema: How VA Rates Chronic Dermatitis Under 38 CFR 4.118

Learn how the VA evaluates psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and eczema under Diagnostic Codes 7806 and 7816, and how biologic medications trigger a 60% rating.

VA General Rating Formula for the Skin: 38 CFR 4.118 Guide

Learn how the VA evaluates dermatological disorders using the General Rating Formula for the Skin based on surface area or systemic immunosuppressive medication.

Skin Conditions & Scars C&P Exam: What VA Looks For

Understand how VA examiners evaluate scars, disfigurement, and chronic skin diseases using official Disability Benefits Questionnaires.

How VA Rates Scars: DC 7800-7805 Disfigurement, Area, and Pain Criteria

Learn how the VA evaluates scars under 38 CFR 4.118 based on facial disfigurement, surface area, tissue loss, and painful or unstable characteristics.

Keep going

Related Tools

Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.

See all tools

VA Math & Combined Ratings

Understand the whole-person method, final rounding, and bilateral limits, then calculate how percentages combine.

Open VA Math guide

Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

Open Evidence Center