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Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma)

Non-melanoma skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. During active treatment, these are rated at 100%. After treatment, they are rated based on residual scarring or disfigurement.

Code: 7818
Criteria: 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7818
Exam length: ~30 minutes
Form: Skin Diseases DBQ

Rating steps

0%
10%
30%
100%

The percentages this diagnostic code can be rated at. Which one applies depends on the findings — no tool here can tell you in advance.

What happens at the appointment

The examiner will inspect the site of your skin cancer and any surgical scars from removal.
They will document whether the cancer is active, in remission, or has been surgically removed.
You will be asked about treatment: surgery (Mohs, excision), radiation, topical chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
The examiner will check for disfigurement or functional limitation from surgical scars.
You will be asked about ongoing surveillance (skin checks) and any recurrence.

What the examiner is actually filling in

01Whether the skin cancer is currently active, under treatment, or in remission.
02Type of skin cancer and treatment method used.
03Residual scarring: location, size, and whether it causes disfigurement or functional limitation.
04Whether there have been recurrences.
05Overall treatment plan and surveillance requirements.

Rated under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7818. The examiner records findings on the DBQ; a rating specialist makes the decision.

A complete answer sounds like

If you are currently being treated for skin cancer, file your claim now — active treatment qualifies for 100%.
After treatment, the rating will be based on residual scars and any recurrence. Make sure every scar is documented.
If you have had multiple skin cancers removed, bring records for every one — the cumulative scarring matters.
Claim facial scars from skin cancer removal under the disfigurement code (DC 7800) separately.
If your skin cancer is linked to military sun exposure, include a statement about your outdoor duty history.

What costs veterans points

Not claiming during active treatment or immediately after — the 100% treatment rating applies while cancer is being treated.
Forgetting to claim the surgical scar separately. Scars from cancer removal on the face can qualify for a disfigurement rating.
Not documenting multiple occurrences. If you have had skin cancer removed from several sites, each site and scar matters.
Missing the connection to military service — prolonged outdoor duty without sunscreen is a common cause.

The rating criteria, in plain language

Rating levels for Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7818
Rating	Rating criteria	What that means for you
0%	Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function.	If there are no residuals (scars, disfigurement, or other effects) after your skin cancer has been treated, a noncompensable rating is assigned.
0%	What supports this level Skin cancer in remission or cured No residual scarring or disfigurement Post-treatment dermatology clearance Surgical pathology showing clear margins
10%	Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function. … 7804: One or two scars that are unstable or painful: 10. … 7800: With one characteristic of disfigurement: 10. … 7801: Area or areas of at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.) but less than 12 square inches (77 sq. cm.): 10.	You have residual scars from excision that are painful or unstable, or that cover a qualifying area, or one characteristic of disfigurement of the head, face or neck. DC 7818 has no percentages of its own — these come from the scar and disfigurement codes it points to.
10%	What supports this level Painful or tender surgical scars documented on examination Scar measurements (length, width, area) recorded One characteristic of disfigurement if the scar is on the head, face or neck Colour photographs of residual scarring
30%	Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function. … 7804: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful: 30. … 7800: With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features …, or; with two or three characteristics of disfigurement: 30. … 7801: Area or areas of at least 72 square inches (465 sq. cm.) but less than 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.): 30.	You have significant residual scarring or disfigurement — five or more painful or unstable scars, two or three characteristics of disfigurement, or a deep scar covering 72 square inches or more.
30%	What supports this level Five or more painful or unstable scars, counted by the examiner Two or three characteristics of disfigurement documented Mohs surgery records showing the extent of excision Scar area measured in square inches or square centimetres Functional limitation from scar location, claimed separately under DC 7805
100%	If a skin malignancy requires therapy that is comparable to that used for systemic malignancies, i.e., systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision, a 100-percent evaluation will be assigned from the date of onset of treatment, and will continue, with a mandatory VA examination six months following the completion of such antineoplastic treatment. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, evaluation will then be made on residuals. If treatment is confined to the skin, the provisions for a 100-percent evaluation do not apply.	You are currently receiving treatment for malignant skin cancer. This 100% rating continues for six months after the last treatment, then the VA will schedule a re-examination.
100%	What supports this level Active skin cancer diagnosis Ongoing chemotherapy, radiation, or extensive surgery Oncology treatment records Pathology reports confirming malignancy Treatment start and end dates

The middle column is our transcription of the criteria at 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7818, condensed for reading. Read the section itself on eCFR before relying on the exact wording. The items under each level are the kinds of evidence that document it — not a VA checklist, and not a prediction of which level applies to you.

Mistakes we see most often

Not claiming residual scars after surgery — even after skin cancer is cured, the surgical scars can be rated separately under DC 7800-7805. Mohs surgery and excisions leave significant scars.

Not knowing about the automatic 100% during treatment — if you are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation beyond the skin, or extensive surgery, you qualify for 100% from the start of treatment through six months after completion.

Failing to connect sun exposure during service — military service often involves extensive outdoor sun exposure. Document your MOS, deployment locations, and duties that involved sun exposure.

Not monitoring for recurrence — skin cancer can recur. If it comes back and requires treatment again, you may be entitled to a new period of 100% rating.

Before & after your exam

These apply to every C&P exam, whatever the condition.

Do not miss the appointment: Missing your C&P exam without a good reason can cost you. Under 38 CFR § 3.655, a missed exam can cause a claim for an increased rating or a reopened claim to be denied, and can cause an original claim to be decided on the evidence already in your file. If you cannot make it, call the VA or the exam company right away to reschedule — a documented good reason (illness, work conflict, no transportation, a family emergency) protects your claim.
Your examiner may be a contractor: Many C&P exams are performed by VA-contracted companies — QTC, Optum Serve (LHI), VES, or MSLA — not at a VA hospital. They will call, text, or mail you to schedule. Do not ignore an unknown number or letter while your claim is pending, and confirm the exam location and time before you go.
The examiner does not decide your claim: The examiner's job is to record findings on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). A rating specialist at the Regional Office makes the actual decision, using the exam together with your full record — service records, medical records, and lay statements. One appointment does not settle everything.
Get a copy of your exam report: After the exam you can request the report (often called the DBQ or C&P exam results) through VA.gov, the Blue Button tool, or your accredited representative. Reading it lets you catch errors while you still have time to respond.
If the exam was inadequate, you have options: If the examiner rushed you, evaluated the wrong condition, or the report is inaccurate, you can submit a statement and new evidence, and — after a decision — request a review (a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review). A single bad exam is not the end of your claim.

View condition guide →View evidence checklist →

Folder readiness

Tick these off as you gather them. Nothing here is required — the exam happens either way — but each one is something the examiner cannot record if it is not in front of them.

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Take it with you

Print the whole guide — what the examiner records, the folder list with your ticks, the criteria table and the mistakes to avoid — and bring it to the appointment.

Frequently paired

Documented secondary or co-occurring conditions. Each is examined separately and has its own guide.

Free tool · 282 guides · DBQ-aligned

C&P Exam Preparation Guides

The VA orders this exam to verify your diagnosis and measure how severe it is right now. It can shape your rating and your monthly compensation — but it does not decide your claim. A rating specialist weighs it against your full record, and if the exam does not reflect your condition, you can say so and ask the VA to correct it.

Source forms
Coverage

What happens at the appointment

The examiner will inspect the site of your skin cancer and any surgical scars from removal.
They will document whether the cancer is active, in remission, or has been surgically removed.
You will be asked about treatment: surgery (Mohs, excision), radiation, topical chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
The examiner will check for disfigurement or functional limitation from surgical scars.
You will be asked about ongoing surveillance (skin checks) and any recurrence.

What the examiner is actually filling in

01Whether the skin cancer is currently active, under treatment, or in remission.
02Type of skin cancer and treatment method used.
03Residual scarring: location, size, and whether it causes disfigurement or functional limitation.
04Whether there have been recurrences.
05Overall treatment plan and surveillance requirements.

Rated under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7818. The examiner records findings on the DBQ; a rating specialist makes the decision.

A complete answer sounds like

If you are currently being treated for skin cancer, file your claim now — active treatment qualifies for 100%.
After treatment, the rating will be based on residual scars and any recurrence. Make sure every scar is documented.
If you have had multiple skin cancers removed, bring records for every one — the cumulative scarring matters.
Claim facial scars from skin cancer removal under the disfigurement code (DC 7800) separately.
If your skin cancer is linked to military sun exposure, include a statement about your outdoor duty history.

What costs veterans points

Not claiming during active treatment or immediately after — the 100% treatment rating applies while cancer is being treated.
Forgetting to claim the surgical scar separately. Scars from cancer removal on the face can qualify for a disfigurement rating.
Not documenting multiple occurrences. If you have had skin cancer removed from several sites, each site and scar matters.
Missing the connection to military service — prolonged outdoor duty without sunscreen is a common cause.

The rating criteria, in plain language

Rating levels for Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7818
Rating	Rating criteria	What that means for you
0%	Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function.	If there are no residuals (scars, disfigurement, or other effects) after your skin cancer has been treated, a noncompensable rating is assigned.
0%	What supports this level Skin cancer in remission or cured No residual scarring or disfigurement Post-treatment dermatology clearance Surgical pathology showing clear margins
10%	Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function. … 7804: One or two scars that are unstable or painful: 10. … 7800: With one characteristic of disfigurement: 10. … 7801: Area or areas of at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.) but less than 12 square inches (77 sq. cm.): 10.	You have residual scars from excision that are painful or unstable, or that cover a qualifying area, or one characteristic of disfigurement of the head, face or neck. DC 7818 has no percentages of its own — these come from the scar and disfigurement codes it points to.
10%	What supports this level Painful or tender surgical scars documented on examination Scar measurements (length, width, area) recorded One characteristic of disfigurement if the scar is on the head, face or neck Colour photographs of residual scarring
30%	Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC's 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), or impairment of function. … 7804: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful: 30. … 7800: With visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features …, or; with two or three characteristics of disfigurement: 30. … 7801: Area or areas of at least 72 square inches (465 sq. cm.) but less than 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.): 30.	You have significant residual scarring or disfigurement — five or more painful or unstable scars, two or three characteristics of disfigurement, or a deep scar covering 72 square inches or more.
30%	What supports this level Five or more painful or unstable scars, counted by the examiner Two or three characteristics of disfigurement documented Mohs surgery records showing the extent of excision Scar area measured in square inches or square centimetres Functional limitation from scar location, claimed separately under DC 7805
100%	If a skin malignancy requires therapy that is comparable to that used for systemic malignancies, i.e., systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision, a 100-percent evaluation will be assigned from the date of onset of treatment, and will continue, with a mandatory VA examination six months following the completion of such antineoplastic treatment. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, evaluation will then be made on residuals. If treatment is confined to the skin, the provisions for a 100-percent evaluation do not apply.	You are currently receiving treatment for malignant skin cancer. This 100% rating continues for six months after the last treatment, then the VA will schedule a re-examination.
100%	What supports this level Active skin cancer diagnosis Ongoing chemotherapy, radiation, or extensive surgery Oncology treatment records Pathology reports confirming malignancy Treatment start and end dates

Mistakes we see most often

Not claiming residual scars after surgery — even after skin cancer is cured, the surgical scars can be rated separately under DC 7800-7805. Mohs surgery and excisions leave significant scars.

Failing to connect sun exposure during service — military service often involves extensive outdoor sun exposure. Document your MOS, deployment locations, and duties that involved sun exposure.

Not monitoring for recurrence — skin cancer can recur. If it comes back and requires treatment again, you may be entitled to a new period of 100% rating.

Before & after your exam

These apply to every C&P exam, whatever the condition.

Do not miss the appointment: Missing your C&P exam without a good reason can cost you. Under 38 CFR § 3.655, a missed exam can cause a claim for an increased rating or a reopened claim to be denied, and can cause an original claim to be decided on the evidence already in your file. If you cannot make it, call the VA or the exam company right away to reschedule — a documented good reason (illness, work conflict, no transportation, a family emergency) protects your claim.
Your examiner may be a contractor: Many C&P exams are performed by VA-contracted companies — QTC, Optum Serve (LHI), VES, or MSLA — not at a VA hospital. They will call, text, or mail you to schedule. Do not ignore an unknown number or letter while your claim is pending, and confirm the exam location and time before you go.
The examiner does not decide your claim: The examiner's job is to record findings on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). A rating specialist at the Regional Office makes the actual decision, using the exam together with your full record — service records, medical records, and lay statements. One appointment does not settle everything.
Get a copy of your exam report: After the exam you can request the report (often called the DBQ or C&P exam results) through VA.gov, the Blue Button tool, or your accredited representative. Reading it lets you catch errors while you still have time to respond.
If the exam was inadequate, you have options: If the examiner rushed you, evaluated the wrong condition, or the report is inaccurate, you can submit a statement and new evidence, and — after a decision — request a review (a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review). A single bad exam is not the end of your claim.

Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma)

Rating steps

What happens at the appointment

What the examiner is actually filling in

A complete answer sounds like

What costs veterans points

The rating criteria, in plain language

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

Mistakes we see most often

Before & after your exam

Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma)

Rating steps

What happens at the appointment

What the examiner is actually filling in

A complete answer sounds like

What costs veterans points

The rating criteria, in plain language

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

Mistakes we see most often

Before & after your exam