Psoriasis — 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 Psoriasis
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 Psoriasis — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Psoriasis, 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 Skin
General rating schedule for skinconditions. Your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
No more than topical therapy required during the past 12 months
At least 5% but less than 20% of the entire body, or exposed areas affected
At least 20% but less than 40% of the entire body or exposed areas, or systemic therapy
40% or more of the entire body, or exposed areas, or constant/near-constant systemic therapy
Will adding Psoriasis raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
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 →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Psoriasis claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
- Genome-wide Association Studies of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in 2 Cohorts of US Army SoldiersDirect
JAMA Psychiatry, 2016 · PMID 27167565
Finding: In the largest GWAS of PTSD to date, conducted in two US Army cohorts (Army STARRS) totaling over 13,000 soldiers, the analysis found significant evidence of genetic pleiotropy (shared genetic risk) between PTSD and rheumatoid arthritis and, to a lesser extent, psoriasis.
Why it helps: A military-population study that supports a shared biological link between PTSD and psoriasis in service members, helping connect a service-related mental health condition to psoriasis.
Psychosomatic Medicine, 2021 · nexus to PTSD · PMID 33587564
Finding: Among 9,801 patients with PTSD versus 39,204 matched controls, PTSD was associated with a roughly 3-fold higher risk of autoimmune skin diseases overall (adjusted HR 3.00, 95% CI 2.21-4.07), including a significantly increased risk of psoriasis specifically (adjusted HR 3.81, 95% CI 1.90-7.67).
Why it helps: Supports an association between service-connected PTSD and the later development of psoriasis, useful for a secondary-service-connection theory.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2017 · nexus to PTSD · PMID 28511822
Finding: This review describes how PTSD-related alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympatho-adrenal axes, elevated inflammatory biomarkers, and impaired skin barrier function from sustained psychological stress and sleep deprivation can lead to exacerbations of stress-reactive inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis.
Why it helps: Provides a plausible biological mechanism linking service-connected PTSD to flares and worsening of psoriasis, supporting an aggravation or secondary-connection argument.
- PsoriasisDirect
The Lancet, 2021 · PMID 33812489
Finding: This authoritative review explains that chronic plaque psoriasis arises from genetic susceptibility combined with environmental triggers including stress, smoking, obesity, and alcohol, and is associated with important comorbidities including depression, psoriatic arthritis, and cardiometabolic syndrome.
Why it helps: A high-authority overview establishing that stress and other service-relevant exposures can trigger psoriasis and that it commonly co-occurs with other claimable conditions, useful as a foundational citation for both direct and secondary theories.
British Journal of Dermatology, 2023 · nexus to depression, anxiety · PMID 36745557
Finding: In a systematic review of 21 studies, psoriatic arthritis was associated with both depression (pooled OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.56-3.25) and anxiety (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.33-2.94) among people with psoriasis, and moderate/severe psoriasis was associated with anxiety (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.25).
Why it helps: Supports the position that psoriasis (and its severity) is associated with depression and anxiety, useful when claiming a mental-health condition as secondary to service-connected psoriasis.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023 · nexus to psoriatic arthritis · PMID 36902329
Finding: This review establishes that psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease causing arthritis, enthesitis, spondylitis, and dactylitis, generally occurs in patients who already have psoriasis and shares a common immune-inflammatory pathogenesis (IL-23/IL-17, TNF pathways).
Why it helps: Supports claiming psoriatic arthritis as a condition secondary to service-connected psoriasis, given the well-established progression from skin disease to joint involvement.
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between psoriasis and metabolic syndromeSecondary
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2017 · nexus to metabolic syndrome · PMID 28917453
Finding: Across 14 studies including 25,042 psoriasis patients, metabolic syndrome was present in 31.4% of patients with psoriasis, and psoriasis was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome (pooled adjusted OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.28-1.65).
Why it helps: Supports an association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance), useful when claiming cardiometabolic conditions as secondary to service-connected psoriasis.
- Association of Psoriasis With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisSecondary
JAMA Dermatology, 2018 · nexus to inflammatory bowel disease · PMID 30422277
Finding: In a meta-analysis of 9 studies with nearly 7.8 million participants, patients with psoriasis had increased odds of Crohn disease (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.20-2.40) and ulcerative colitis (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.49-2.05), with elevated risk on cohort analysis (Crohn RR 2.53; ulcerative colitis RR 1.71).
Why it helps: Supports an association between psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, useful when claiming Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis as secondary to service-connected psoriasis.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
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 Psoriasis
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Psoriasis. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Filing a Psoriasisclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Psoriasis should also be looking at:
Quick calculator
Estimate your combined rating →
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
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.
Draft your Psoriasis personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your Psoriasis VA Claim
Use our free Claims Builder to organize your Psoriasis evidence, track your claim status, and prepare for your C&P exam. No coaching fees — just tools.
Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Psoriasis.
Psoriasis 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 a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.