Diagnostic Code 7828 · 38 CFR §4.118
DC 7828 covers acne, including cystic acne and acne conglobata. While commonly associated with teenagers, severe forms of acne can persist well into adulthood and cause significant scarring and disfigurement. Military service can trigger or worsen acne through stress, wearing heavy equipment and helmets, exposure to petroleum products and industrial chemicals, hot humid deployments, and limited hygiene access in the field. Severe cystic acne developed during service is a legitimate disability claim.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Superficial acne — comedones, papules, pustules, superficial cysts — of any extent. |
| 10% | Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting less than 40% of the face and neck, OR deep acne affecting other body parts. |
| 30% | Deep acne (deep inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) affecting 40% or more of the face and neck. This is the maximum schedular rating under DC 7828; scar disfigurement is rated separately under DC 7800. |
Dermatology records documenting the type and severity of acne are essential. Photographs of active acne and resulting scarring help demonstrate severity. Service treatment records showing the acne began or worsened during service establish the nexus. Treatment records including prescription medications (isotretinoin, oral antibiotics, topical retinoids) document the severity. Records of acne scarring support separate scar claims.
Yes, particularly severe or cystic acne. The condition itself can rate up to 30%, and the scarring it leaves can add significantly more through separate scar ratings. Many veterans developed severe acne from service conditions and carry the scars permanently.
Acne mechanica (acne caused by friction, pressure, and heat from equipment) is well-documented in military populations. Helmets, body armor, chin straps, and other gear create perfect conditions for severe acne. Document which equipment you wore and how it relates to the acne location.