Bullous disorders, including porphyria cutanea tarda — VA Diagnostic Code 7815

Seven disorders in one title

The schedule title names pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceous, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, benign chronic familial pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey), and porphyria cutanea tarda. The same formula applies to that code. Section 3.309(e) names “Porphyria cutanea tarda.” The 2026-10-01 text does not name the other six disorders in that parenthetical.

Percent of skin, or systemic therapy, over 12 months

More than 40 percent of the entire body or of exposed areas, or constant or near-constant systemic therapy over the past 12-month period, is in the 60 percent block. Twenty to 40 percent, or systemic therapy for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, is in the 30 percent block. At least 5 percent but less than 20 percent, or intermittent systemic therapy for a total duration of less than 6 weeks, is in the 10 percent block. No more than topical therapy, with less than 5 percent of the entire body or of exposed areas, is the 0 percent block. 38 CFR § 4.118(a) says systemic therapy is treatment administered through any route (orally, injection, suppository, intranasally) other than the skin, and topical therapy is treatment administered through the skin. The schedule does not define “characteristic lesions” or “exposed areas” in a sentence under DC 7815.

Within a year after the last herbicide exposure

38 CFR § 3.307(a)(6)(ii) says the § 3.309(e) diseases shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service, except that chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within a year after the last date on which the veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent during active military, naval, or air service. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(1) says any period of service is sufficient for a specified disease under the conditions listed in § 3.309(e).

The same formula covers other skin codes. The presumption names one disorder in this title.

What is the VA rating for DC 7815?

Under 38 CFR § 4.118, bullous disorders, including porphyria cutanea tarda, are evaluated under the General Rating Formula for the Skin at 60, 30, 10, or 0 percent. Mucosal complications are rated separately under the note. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Does § 3.309(e) assign DC 7815?

No. It lists “Porphyria cutanea tarda” and does not print a diagnostic code. The schedule title at DC 7815 includes those words and six other disorders. DC 7829 is chloracne, not porphyria cutanea tarda.

How does VA rate DC 7815?

The code says to evaluate under the General Rating Formula for the Skin. The blocks are 60, 30, 10, and 0 percent. Each block is at least one listed finding: a percent of the entire body or of exposed areas, or therapy of a stated kind and duration over the past 12-month period. The note rates mucosal complications separately. A further formula line says to rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck, or as scars, depending upon the predominant disability. Education only.

Is every disorder in the DC 7815 title an herbicide presumption?

Section 3.309(e) lists “Porphyria cutanea tarda.” It does not list pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceous, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, or benign chronic familial pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey). Those names are in the schedule title. They are not in that herbicide list.

What is the time limit for porphyria cutanea tarda?

Section 3.307(a)(6)(ii) says porphyria cutanea tarda shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within a year after the last date of herbicide exposure. The same sentence gives chloracne and early-onset peripheral neuropathy that one-year rule. It says the other § 3.309(e) diseases shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.