Melanoma (Malignant) — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Melanoma (Malignant)
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960F-2 (Skin Diseases) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Melanoma (Malignant) — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Melanoma (Malignant), based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Melanoma (Malignant)
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.118, DC 7833 (malignant melanoma). Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
A 100% evaluation is assigned from the date of onset of treatment only when the malignancy requires therapy comparable to that used for systemic malignancies (systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision). It continues with a mandatory VA examination six months after completion of such antineoplastic treatment. If treatment is confined to the skin, this 100% provision does not apply.
Otherwise (and after the mandatory examination if there has been no local recurrence or metastasis), melanoma is rated on its residuals: as scars (DC 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805), as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), or as impairment of function under the appropriate body system. The resulting percentage depends on the severity of those residuals.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Melanoma (Malignant) raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
100%
New monthly
$3,939
Change
+$3,939
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Melanoma (Malignant)
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Melanoma (Malignant). A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Melanoma (Malignant) as a Secondary Condition
Melanoma (Malignant) is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Melanoma (Malignant)claim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Melanoma (Malignant) should also be looking at:
Quick calculator
Estimate your combined rating →
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Health care
Estimate your VA Priority Group →
Priority Group 1-8 determines what care you get and what it costs. Service-connected = lower copays, full access.
Where you live
Compare 50 state veteran benefits →
State property tax exemptions for SC vets vary 10x. Some states fully exempt 100%-rated vets, others give nothing.
Home buying
VA home loan + funding fee waiver →
ANY service-connected rating waives the funding fee. On a $400K loan that's ~$8,600 saved.
Other ways to work on your claim
›More Melanoma (Malignant) resources
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Melanoma (Malignant).
Melanoma (Malignant) Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
More free tools
Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is an independent planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.