Scars are one of the most overlooked parts of a DVA claim. Veterans tend to focus on the injury and forget the mark it left behind, but scarring, especially on the face or anywhere visible, can be recognised in its own right, and so can the scars left by surgery for a condition you have already had accepted.
This guide explains when scarring can be claimed, how it is assessed, and the impact that often gets missed. For the bigger picture, see the DVA medical conditions hub.
Article at a glance
- Scarring can be claimed, particularly when it is on the face or otherwise visible.
- Surgical scars count too, if the surgery was for a service-related condition.
- Both look and function matter, visible disfigurement and any restriction of movement.
- The effect on confidence and mood is real, and can be a claim of its own.
When scarring can be claimed
There are two main ways scarring comes into a claim.
- From a service injury. Scarring left by a wound, burn or injury that happened in service can be claimed as part of that condition.
- From surgery for an accepted condition. If you had an operation for a service-related condition, say surgery on an accepted knee or back injury, the resulting scar is a consequence of that condition and can be recognised too.
How scarring is assessed
When DVA assesses scarring for impairment, it looks at more than just whether a scar is there. The things that matter are how extensive it is, where it is, and how much it affects you, both in appearance and in function.
- Location and visibility. Scarring on the face, neck or hands carries more weight because it is on show and harder to hide. Facial disfigurement in particular is taken seriously.
- Extent and severity. Larger, deeper, or more disfiguring scarring rates higher than a small, faint mark.
- Function. Some scars do more than look different, scar tissue can tighten and restrict movement, such as a contracture across a joint. That functional loss is assessed as well.
Clear photographs and a specialist description of the scarring make a real difference here, because the assessment turns on detail that a brief note can miss.
The impact that’s easy to miss
Visible scarring is not just a cosmetic issue. Living with facial or prominent disfigurement can knock your confidence, affect how you feel in social or work settings, and weigh on your mental health. Where that happens, the psychological effect can become a condition of its own, and may be claimable as a secondary condition. It is worth raising, not brushing aside.
Getting treatment
Treatment for scarring connected to an accepted condition is covered through your Veteran Card, which can include scar management, and in some cases surgical revision where it is clinically appropriate. Your GP is the place to start, and getting the scarring properly documented helps both your treatment and any claim.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim a scar from surgery?
If the surgery was for a service-related condition, yes, the scar is a consequence of that accepted condition and can be recognised. Veterans often overlook surgical scarring, so it’s worth flagging.
Does a scar only count if it limits movement?
No. Functional loss, like a scar that restricts movement, is assessed, but visible disfigurement on its own can also be recognised, especially on the face and other exposed areas. Both the look and the function are part of the picture.
My facial scarring affects my confidence. Is that relevant?
Yes, and it should not be brushed aside. The psychological impact of visible scarring can become a condition in its own right and may be claimable as a secondary condition. It’s worth raising with your GP and including in your claim.
Carrying scars from your service?
Scarring is easy to leave out of a claim and easy to under-assess. Our expert team can make sure yours is properly recognised, both the disfigurement and any effect on you.
Related from KSC Law
- Knee injury claims
- Mental health support for veterans
- Getting the right DVA diagnosis
- DVA medical conditions hub