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VA rating schedule, diagnostic code 7833
"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.
Grounded in federal regulations and VA guidance, independently reviewed June 2026. Educational information, not legal advice or a VA determination.
Across 5,619 real Board appeals for Skin cancer
A denial is often not the end either — remands (shown below) are sent back for more development and can still end in a grant. These are historical outcomes, not a prediction of your case.
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Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Skin cancer was linked to service:
In appeals where Skin cancer was the only condition decided and the Board granted it, the rating most often assigned was:
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for melanoma, to include SCC of the right hand, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to radiation during service.
The Veteran's melanoma is granted service connection. Service connection for skin cancer other than melanoma is remanded.
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, lower urinary tract symptoms with incomplete emptying of the bladder, and skin cancer. The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to his participation in a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) during service. His LUTS are secondary to his now service-connected prostate cancer. His skin cancer is linked to his exposure to sunlight during service.
The Veteran's service connection for melanoma and initial rating higher than 20 percent prior to May 22, 2025 and 30 percent thereafter for right upper extremity tremors and rigidity (radial nerve) as due to Parkinson's disease have been granted.
The Veteran's melanoma removal scar is not at least 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) in area, so a compensable rating for this condition is denied.,Service connection has been granted for right hip strain, left hip strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain based on the persuasive balance of evidence supporting their relationship to service.
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during active service.
Jump to the decisions from a specific year.
New decisions are added every week, and older years are actively being backfilled — a year that looks thin or missing here (especially 2011–2017) is a gap in our library, not in the Board’s decisions.
Veterans appealing Skin cancer often look at outcomes for these too:
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.