The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rates surgical scars based on the severity of the scar and its location on the body. A scar is classified as a disfigurement if it is visible when the person is wearing normal street clothing. The following are the criteria used to rate surgical scars:
Location:
1. Face head or neck – 2 points
2. Arm hand or finger – 1 point
3. abdomen back chest groin or leg – 1 point
Severity:
1. Small – 1 point
2. Moderate – 3 points
3. Large – 5 points
The maximum number of points that can be given for a scar is 10.
How does the VA rate surgical scars?
Answer 1: The VA rates surgical scars based on their size depth shape location and color.
They also take into account any pain or itching associated with the scar.
How does the size of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 2: The larger the scar the higher the VA rating.
How does the depth of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 3: The deeper the scar the higher the VA rating.
How does the shape of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 4: The shape of the scar can affect the VA rating if it is significantly different from the surrounding tissue.
How does the location of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 5: The location of the scar can affect the VA rating if it is on a visible body part or if it affects a body part that is used for daily activities.
How does the color of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 6: The VA rating for a scar may be higher if the scar is significantly different in color from the surrounding skin.
How does pain affect the VA rating for a surgical scar?
Answer 7: The VA rating for a scar may be higher if the scar is painful or if it causes itching.
How does the presence of hair affect the VA rating for a surgical scar?
Answer 8: The VA rating for a scar may be higher if the scar has hair growing out of it.
How does the thickness of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 9: The thicker the scar the higher the VA rating.
How does the length of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 10: The longer the scar the higher the VA rating.
How does the width of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 11: The wider the scar the higher the VA rating.
How does the number of surgical scars affect the VA rating?
Answer 12: The more surgical scars a person has the higher the VA rating.
How does the age of a surgical scar affect the VA rating?
Answer 13: The VA rating for a scar may be higher if the scar is new or if it is an old scar that has healed poorly.
How does the size of the wound affect the VA rating for a surgical scar?
Answer 14: The larger the wound the higher the VA rating.
How does the severity of the surgery affect the VA rating for a surgical scar?
Answer 15: The more severe the surgery the higher the VA rating.
