Exposure to chemicals during active service, and even other symptoms such as PTSD and other injuries, can develop psoriasis. Psoriasis isa skin condition that can be defined as a rash with itchy and scaly patches.
Veterans with this condition may have an impact on their daily life and work, which leads them to wonder how the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) evaluates it for disability benefits.
But is psoriasis a disability? And can you get a disability rating for psoriasis?
Acquiring a VA disability rating for psoriasis is possible, and psoriasis is considered an injury that will often appear as a secondary condition of a much more severe case.
But the VA disability for psoriasiscan be difficult due to the complexity that comes in navigating the VA process; it would be incredibly helpful to obtain the professional coaching and consultation services of a veteran coaching company for filing a VA claim. Click this link to connect with a veteran coach.
This blog will answer common questions about VA disability for psoriasis, how to apply for VA benefits, the VA rating, and the conditions that may arise from this injury.
Why This Matters in the VA Disability System
Veterans who developed psoriasis are not just experiencing patches of dry and itchy skin; it can carry the risk of psoriatic arthritis, which can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue.
For veterans, securing a fair VA rating for psoriasis ensures that the severity of the condition and how it affects your ability to live and work is properly recognized.
Understanding the Medical Basics of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes rapid buildup of skin cells, resulting in the formation of thick, red patches with silvery scales.
This happens because immune cells become active, which produces molecules leading to the accelerated overproduction of skin cells, which is why they have the appearance of scaliness and the sensation of inflammation.
It can cause physical discomfort, such as itchiness and pain, making it difficult to concentrate.
As of the moment, there is no known cure for psoriasis, and it is still unclear what causes the overactivity of immune cells, but it is certain that the cause of psoriasis can involve a combination of genetics and environment.
Common Types of Psoriasis and Their Symptoms
1. Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis appears as raised, red patches of skin covered with silvery-white scales. These patches usually form in a symmetrical pattern and tend to develop on the scalp, elbows, knees, trunk, and limbs.
It is the most common type of psoriasis, affecting over 6.7 million adults in the U.S and accounting for about80% to 90% of all psoriasis cases.
2. Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that develops mostly in children and young adults, though it can also occur in adults.
It appears as small, red, drop-shaped patches on the torso, legs, and arms but can also develop on other parts of the body. Each spot typically measures between 2 and 10 millimeters in width and is covered with fine scales.
This form of psoriasis is frequently triggered by infections, particularly streptococcal throat infections (strep throat), which often precede the onset of guttate psoriasis by 1 to 3 weeks.
Other triggers may include upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, stress, skin injuries, some medications, alcohol, and sunburn.
3. Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is a rare type marked by pus-filled bumps (pustules) surrounded by inflamed, red skin. It can cause tenderness, redness, itching, and a burning sensation, often appearing on the hands and feet (known as palmoplantar pustulosis) but can also affect larger areas of the body in severe cases (generalized pustular psoriasis).
Triggers include withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, infections, stress, certain medications, and genetic or environmental factors.
4. Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis affects skin folds where skin rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts, between the buttocks, and around the genitals, which causes extreme discomfort. Unlike plaque psoriasis, it causes smooth, shiny, red (or purple on darker skin) patches without the typical silvery scales. Its symptoms include well-defined, moist, and shiny red patches with itching, soreness, and irritation, along with cracking or bleeding in affected folds.
There is also the possibility of secondary fungal or bacterial infection due to its moisture.
This type of psoriasis is triggered by friction, sweating, heat, infections, and certain medications.
5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is one of the rarest but most severe forms of psoriasis. It causes widespread redness, inflammation, and scaling that can cover most of the body’s surface (typically over 75%).
This condition may be triggered by severe sunburn, infection, or sudden withdrawal of systemic medications such as corticosteroids. It can also develop from poorly controlled plaque psoriasis.
Symptoms include intense itching, burning, swelling, pain, and shedding of large skin sheets. In some cases, it can cause fever, chills, and dehydration, making it a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.
Complications and Risk Factors
- Stress and mental health diagnosis such as PTSD, anxiety and depression
- Physical trauma and injuries that occur mainly to the skin, such as the Koebner phenomenon
- Exposure toharsh environments and hazardous chemicals
- Unhealthy lifestyle, such as excess smoking and drinking
- Drug uses such as:
- Beta-blockers
- Lithium
- Antimalarial drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme
- Tumor necrosis factor
- Interferons
- Imiquimod
- Terbinafine
- Throat infections
- Some weather conditions, such as cold and dry weather
- Additional immune disorders, such as HIV
How Psoriasis Affects Daily Functioning
Psoriasis can have both mental and physical impact on someone who contracted it.
It impairs one’s capacity to perform physical activities and affects dexterity, especially when accompanied by psoriatic arthritis, which can limit joint mobility, reduce grip strength, and cause fatigue that affects work performance. Doing things such as walking, exercising, and even wearing clothes is a heavy task.
Those who have psoriasis often develop low self-esteem, causing anxiety, stress, and depression.
Service Connection for Psoriasis
To secure a VA rating for psoriasis, you must establish a service connection which confirms that your psoriasis developed or aggravated during or in relation to your military service. This can happen in three ways:
- Direct Service Connection: Psoriasis began during active duty (documented in medical records).
- Aggravation: A pre-existing case of psoriasis worsened due to military service.
- Secondary Connection: Psoriasis that leads to other conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, depression, or infections.
Type of Evidence Needed
Service connection can be established with either direct proof that your active service caused the psoriasis, or that you’ve sustained an injury that led to the development of psoriasis as a secondary condition.Either way, you need to secure proper evidence and documents to ensure that service connection.
- Service treatment records showing symptoms or diagnosis.
- Post-service medical records that confirm continuity.
- Statements from medical professionals linking your psoriasis to your military service.
- Lay statements describing flare-ups and their effect on daily life.
VA Rating Framework and Legal Basis
VA rating for psoriasis falls under the diagnostic code for skin conditions 38 CFR § 4.118, Diagnostic Code (DC) 7816. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the amount affected, and the type of treatment needed, it has ratings from 0% to 60% with breaks at 10% and 30%.
The VA rating for Psoriatic arthritis should be present in your condition, so it will be rated under musculoskeletal system with a Diagnostic Code 5002 under the 38 CFR § 4.71a for rheumatoid arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis disability claims can range from 20% to 100% VA rating depending on its severity.
VA Rating Levels and Criteria for Psoriasis
Here’s how the VA typically assigns ratings:
| VA Disability Rating for Psoriasis (Skin Conditions) | Criteria/Description |
| 0% (Noncompensable) | Only topical treatments are required when it only affects less than 5% of the body or exposed areas. |
| 10% | 5–20% of the body or exposed areas affected, OR intermittent systemic therapy for less than six weeks during the past 12 months. |
| 30% | 20–40% of the body or exposed areas affected, OR systemic therapy for six weeks or more during the past 12 months (but not constant). |
| 60% | More than 40% of the body or exposed areas are affected; OR constant/near-constant systemic therapy has been required over the past 12 months. |
The VA disability rating for psoriatic arthritisis rated differently, since it falls under a different diagnostic code.
| VA Disability Rating for Psoriatic Arthritis (Musculoskeletal Conditions) | Criteria/Description |
| 20% | One or two exacerbations per year with a well-established diagnosis |
| 40% | Active arthritis with definite impairment of health or incapacitating exacerbations three or more times per year |
| 60% | Severe impairment with weight loss and anemia, or severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring four or more times per year or over prolonged periods. |
| 100% | Total incapacitation is characterized by constitutional manifestations and active joint involvement. |
It is important to note that you can receive two separate ratings, but only if the symptoms don’t overlap. This means:
- The itchy, scaly skin part counts for psoriasis, and
- The painful joints part counts as psoriatic arthritis.
But if both ratings are based on the same problem (for example, if you try to count the same symptom twice), the VA won’t allow it. That’s called “pyramiding.”
Suppose that the VA granted you a 30% VA rating for your psoriasis and your arthritis causes you to miss work three times a year because of flare-ups, which will grant you a 40% rating.
The VA combines those two numbers (rather than adding them directly) to come up with something close to 60% overall.
If your psoriasis affects 40% of your body and requires systemic therapy, you may qualify for a 60% rating under the skin code.
If your psoriatic arthritis causes joint swelling, pain, and mobility limitations and meets criteria for a 40% rating under DC 5002, VA may assign both ratings if the skin and joint manifestations are clearly documented as separate.
Check out more about VA Math here.
Preparing Strong Evidence for Your VA Claims
Veterans often overlook their medical evidence, which can result in insufficient connections between their psoriasis and active military service, as well as a failure to secure lay statements from family, friends, or coworkers.
But if you ensure that you have sufficient evidence but still have some reservations about the documents you have gathered, or you require further knowledge about your claim, then you can try and get educational assistance from a veteran coaching platform such as Just4Veterans to ensure the right strategy to pursue your claim.
Book a free strategy call to directly reach our veteran coaches. You may also visit our VA claims consulting page to learn more about us.