"Damaged" is a subjective thing, here's proof:
Recently I had to renew my admittedly weathered passport as it is approaching 10 years.
Went to same day passport renewal in NYC at 7:30 AM.
You need a DS82 form filled out typically but DS 11 if damaged. Had to leave the renewal office building and go to Starbucks to get wifi to email them
travel plans, which I had forgotten. When I came back, the one clerk asked me why in the world I had to fill out the DS-11 form.
I explained that the first clerk told me my passport had "water damage" whatever that is...the two started discussing the matter and didn't seem to agree.