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Veterans living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) know how painful and persistent this chronic skin condition can be.
If you’re struggling with outbreaks that interfere with your daily life and can link your condition to your military service, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation.
In this post, we’ll break down how the VA rates hidradenitis suppurativa, how to prove service connection, and how to file your claim for a hidradenitis suppurativa VA rating.
>> Related Guide: VA Ratings for Skin Conditions
Summary of Key Points
- Hidradenitis suppurativa can qualify for VA disability compensation if you can establish service connection under the VA’s skin condition rating criteria.
- The VA doesn’t have a unique diagnostic code for HS, so it is typically rated under an analogous skin condition, such as dermatitis (Diagnostic Code 7806), under the general skin rating formula.
- Filing a VA disability claim for hidradenitis suppurativa requires a current diagnosis; an in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness; and a clear nexus (medical link) between the two.
Table of Contents
What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful nodules, abscesses, and tunnels under the skin. Blood- or pus-filled bumps most often occur in areas where skin rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, buttocks, and under the breasts.
The bumps often recur, form sinus tracts (tunnels under the skin), and result in scarring over time. HS can interfere with daily activities and have the potential to lead to infections, swelling, pain, stress, and anxiety.
Common Symptoms
- Painful subcutaneous (under the skin) bumps or nodules
- Recurrent abscesses
- Chronic draining sores
- Scarring and sinus tract formation
Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Veterans
While HS can affect anyone, clinical reports and medical literature suggest that the condition may be more challenging to manage in some veterans and military personnel due to physical demands, tight uniforms, friction, and other stressors that may exacerbate skin conditions.
How the VA Rates Hidradenitis Suppurativa
The VA does not currently assign a unique diagnostic code specifically for hidradenitis suppurativa.
However, HS is rated under similar skin condition codes in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, most commonly Diagnostic Code 7806 for dermatitis or eczema under the General Rating Formula for Skin Conditions found in 38 C.F.R. § 4.118.
This means your HS will be evaluated based on how much of your body it affects and how often you require systemic treatment.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa VA Rating Chart
| VA Disability Rating | Criteria (General VA Rating Formula for the Skin) |
| 60% | At least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Constant or near-constant systemic therapy* required over the past 12-month period |
| 30% | At least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected; or Systemic therapy* required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly over the past 12-month period |
| 10% | At least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body affected; or At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected; or Intermittent systemic therapy* required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks over the past 12-month period |
| 0% | No more than topical therapy required over the past 12-month period and at least one of the following: Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of the entire body affected; or Characteristic lesions involving less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected |
* Systemic therapy includes (but isn’t limited to) corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs.
Proving Service Connection
To qualify for a hidradenitis suppurativa VA rating and benefits, you must prove service connection.
To prove primary service connection, you need:
- A current diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa, and
- Evidence of an in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation, and
- A medical nexus (link) between your current diagnosis and your military service
These are general VA requirements for disability claims and apply to all conditions, including HS.
How to File a VA Claim
Here’s how to file your hidradenitis suppurativa disability claim:
Gather Evidence
- Your DD214 or other separation documents
- Your service treatment records
- Any medical evidence related to your illness or injury (like doctors’ reports and medical test results)
- While not required, lay evidence can sometimes help your claim. Lay evidence might include writing and submitting a lay statement about your situation; completing and submitting a Lay or Witness Statement (also known as a “buddy statement”) (VA Form 21-10210); or completing and submitting a Statement in Support of Claim (VA Form 21-4138).
File your claim
- Online at VA.gov
- By mail using VA Form 21-526EZ
- In person at a VA regional office
- Through an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO)
Attend C&P exam (if required)
The VA may request that you attend a compensation and pension exam to assess the severity of your condition and its connection to your service.
Conclusion
Veterans with hidradenitis suppurativa can qualify for VA compensation and benefits if they can show their condition is connected to military service and meets the VA’s criteria for severity. HS is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60%.
Because HS does not have its own diagnostic code, it’s rated under the skin condition general formula (often under Diagnostic Code 7806), making evidence of the extent of skin involvement and treatment needs crucial.
Filing well-documented claims with medical evidence and service connection documentation increases your chance of receiving the highest possible rating you deserve.
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FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Is HS a VA disability?
Yes. While hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) doesn’t have its own diagnostic code, it’s rated under the skin condition general formula (often under Diagnostic Code 7806 for dermatitis or eczema) at 0%, 10%, 30%, or 60%, depending on severity of symptoms and treatment requirements.
What diagnostic code does the VA use for hidradenitis suppurativa?
The VA typically rates HS under skin condition codes, such as 7806 (dermatitis/eczema), using the general skin formula.
Is there hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) a VA presumptive condition?
No, hidradenitis suppurativa is not on the VA presumptive conditions list. However, conditions that appear within one year of discharge may be presumed related to service in certain circumstances.
How do I file a VA disability claim for HS?
File online at VA.gov or by mail with VA Form 21-526EZ and include medical and service evidence.
What evidence strengthens an HS claim?
Detailed medical records, treatment history (especially systemic therapy), service records, and lay statements can all help establish service connection and severity of symptoms. A nexus letter from a medical professional can also clearly show the link between your current diagnosis and your time in service.
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The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.
About the Author
Katie McCarthy
Katie McCarthy is a writer and editor with experience in daily news and digital and print magazine publishing. She honed her editorial (and firearms) skills at Guns & Ammo before helping launch Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine as the managing editor. She holds degrees in English (BA) and public administration (MPA). Katie is a military spouse and word nerd who enjoys reading, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.
