Skin cancer

"Skin cancer" covers more than one thing. The most serious common type is malignant melanoma, but there are also other malignant skin neoplasms such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The VA rates skin conditions under its skin rating schedule, 38 CFR 4.118. To be service-connected in the normal way, a condition generally needs a current diagnosis, an in-service event or exposure, and a link ("nexus") tying the two together; a denial is a starting point, not the end, and you can appeal or add evidence.

Malignant melanoma uses diagnostic code 7833, and other malignant skin neoplasms (the non-melanoma skin cancers) use diagnostic code 7818. Under both codes, the cancer itself is not given one fixed percentage; instead it is rated as scars (codes 7801-7805), as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (code 7800), or as impairment of function of the affected body system — so what drives a higher percentage is how bad the scarring, disfigurement, or loss of function is. There is an important note in the rules: if the skin cancer needs treatment comparable to that used for systemic cancers (for example, systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than a wide local excision), a 100-percent evaluation is assigned from the date treatment begins. That 100-percent rating continues until a mandatory VA exam six months after treatment ends, after which, if there is no local recurrence or spread, the rating is based on the residuals (the leftover scars or loss of function).

There is also a presumptive pathway that can ease the "nexus" burden. Under the PACT Act, melanoma is listed as a presumptive condition tied to burn pit and other toxic exposures for Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans. When a condition is presumptive for a qualifying veteran, the VA accepts the connection to service without the veteran having to prove the medical link separately, which can make filing simpler.

This is educational information about how the VA's rules generally work — it is not legal advice or a VA decision about your individual claim.