Diagnostic Code 7829 · 38 CFR §4.118
Chloracne is a specific skin condition caused by exposure to certain toxic chemicals, most notably dioxin found in Agent Orange. It produces blackheads, cysts, and nodules primarily on the face, neck, and body. Chloracne is one of the earliest recognized presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure. The VA rates chloracne under related diagnostic codes. Chloracne is a specific skin condition caused by exposure to certain toxic chemicals, most notably dioxin — the harmful component in Agent Orange. It produces blackheads, cysts, and nodules on the face, neck, and body that can persist for years. Chloracne is particularly significant for veterans because it is one of the earliest recognized presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure. Even veterans without Agent Orange exposure may develop severe persistent acne from other military chemical exposures or environmental conditions.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Superficial acne (comedones, papules, pustules) of any extent. |
| 10% | Deep acne with inflamed nodules and pus-filled lesions affecting less than 40 percent of the face and neck, or deep acne on other areas of the body besides the face and neck. |
| 20% | Deep acne with inflamed nodules and pus-filled lesions affecting the intertriginous areas — the underarms, groin region, skin folds of the breasts, or between the fingers and toes. |
| 30% | Deep acne with inflamed nodules and pus-filled lesions affecting 40 percent or more of the face and neck. This is the maximum schedular rating under DC 7829. |
Dermatology records documenting the type, location, and severity of your acne or chloracne are essential. Photographs showing the extent of involvement — especially on the face and neck — are very helpful. If you were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides, your service records showing deployment to affected areas and dates are needed for presumptive service connection. For chloracne, the condition must have manifested to a compensable degree within one year of last exposure.
Chloracne is most commonly associated with Agent Orange (dioxin exposure), but it can also result from exposure to other chlorinated chemicals. In the VA context, it is best known as one of the original presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure.
Even if the active lesions have resolved, residual scarring may be ratable under the scar diagnostic codes (DC 7800 for facial disfigurement, DC 7804 for painful or unstable scars). Document the scarring separately from the active condition.
DC 7829 caps at 30 percent. However, if acne or chloracne has caused significant disfigurement of the head, face, or neck, you can pursue a separate rating under DC 7800 which goes up to 80 percent. The two ratings would combine.