Diagnostic Code 7818 · 38 CFR §4.118
DC 7818 covers malignant skin cancers other than melanoma, primarily basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These are the most common cancers among veterans, strongly linked to sun exposure during outdoor military service. Many veterans developed these cancers from years of intense sun exposure during deployments, field exercises, and outdoor duty without adequate sun protection. The VA rates active cancer at 100% and evaluates residual effects after treatment.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Post-treatment with no active disease and minimal residuals (small scar). |
| 10% | Post-treatment residuals such as a painful or disfiguring scar — rate under appropriate scar code (DC 7800–7805) if higher. |
| 30% | Significant post-treatment residuals such as disfigurement of head/face/neck or functional limitation, rated under the appropriate scar code if it yields a higher rating. |
| 100% | Active malignant skin neoplasm during treatment. The 100% rating continues for six months after the cessation of surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure. Following that period, the rating is determined by residuals. |
Pathology reports confirming the cancer diagnosis and type are essential. Records of all treatments (surgery, radiation, topical chemotherapy) are needed. Post-surgical pathology showing clear margins or residual cancer affects prognosis. Photographs of surgical sites document disfigurement. Deployment and service records documenting outdoor sun exposure support the service connection. Ongoing dermatology surveillance records show continued monitoring needs.
Yes. Skin cancer from sun exposure often develops 10-30 years after the damage occurred. If you had significant sun exposure during service, that exposure can be the basis for service connection even if the cancer appears decades later. Deployment records, duty stations, and military occupational specialty all help establish the exposure.
Six months after your last treatment, the VA schedules a reexamination. If the cancer is in remission, the 100% rating ends. Your new rating is based on residual effects — scarring, disfigurement, ongoing monitoring needs. File separate claims for each residual condition to maximize your overall rating.