All VA diagnostic codes › §4.118
38 CFR Diagnostic Code 7809 — Discoid lupus erythematosus.
Rating schedule §4.118 — § 4.118 Schedule of ratings—skin.
The rating schedule directs:
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
- Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for the Skin
Diagnostic Code 7809 is rated under the General Rating Formula For The Skin For DCs 7806, 7809, 7813-7816, 7820-7822, and 7824 in §4.118, shown below.
| Rating | Criteria (38 CFR §4.118) |
|---|---|
| 60% | At least one of the following Characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Constant or near-constant systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period |
| 30% | At least one of the following Characteristic lesions involving 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, over the past 12-month period |
| 10% | At least one of the following Characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected; or At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected; or Intermittent systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, PUVA, or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over the past 12-month period |
| 0% | No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of the entire body affected; or Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected |
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801, 7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability. This rating instruction does not apply to DC 7824
Notes in the regulation
- Note: Do not combine with ratings under DC 6350
Amendment history. eCFR records changes to the section holding this code on the dates below, with the differing passage within a few lines of code 7809. The criteria in force on a claim’s filing or decision date can govern it.
- 2018-08-13 — §4.118 amended near code 7809 (text as amended)
Source. Quoted from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, as published by the eCFR for 2026-07-01. We quote the regulation rather than paraphrase it. The rating schedule changes; check the eCFR link for the current text.
This is reference information, not a rating decision and not legal advice. What a claim actually receives depends on the evidence of record.
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