Musculoskeletal
38 CFR § 4.71a
Back, knee, shoulder, joint, and bone conditions rated under the musculoskeletal diagnostic codes.
More codes in this area: the guides below are highlights. Browse the full diagnostic code index filtered for Musculoskeletal, or search the entire Part 4 list. (Some codes—ears vs. nerves vs. eyes—use adjacent categories; use search if needed.)
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This page provides general educational information only based on public VA regulations (38 CFR) and va.gov resources. It is not legal, medical, or claims assistance. Ratings and service connections are decided case-by-case by the VA based on the individual veteran’s evidence. We do not prepare claims, generate documents, or provide personalized advice. Always consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or your physician for help with your specific situation. Verify the latest rules on va.gov.
Back & spine — full guide (ROM / IVDS)
DC 5235–5243
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Vertebral fracture or dislocation
DC 5235
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Sacroiliac injury and weakness
DC 5236
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Lumbosacral or cervical strain
DC 5237
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Spinal stenosis
DC 5238
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Spondylolisthesis / segmental instability
DC 5239
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Ankylosing spondylitis
DC 5240
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Spinal fusion
DC 5241
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Degenerative arthritis / DDD of spine (non-IVDS)
DC 5242
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
DC 5243
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Knee Conditions
DC 5256–5261
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Shoulder Conditions
DC 5201–5203
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Hip Conditions
DC 5250–5255
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Ankle Conditions
DC 5270–5274
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Foot Conditions
DC 5276–5284
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Elbow Conditions
DC 5205–5210
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Wrist Conditions
DC 5214–5215
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Hand and Finger Conditions
DC 5152–5230
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Plantar Fasciitis
DC 5269
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
DC 5276
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Fibromyalgia
DC 5025
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Osteoarthritis
DC 5003
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Osteomyelitis
DC 5000
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Tuberculosis, bones and joints
DC 5001
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Multi-joint arthritis (active process)
DC 5002
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Arthritis, gonorrheal
DC 5004
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Arthritis, pneumococcic
DC 5005
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Arthritis, typhoid
DC 5006
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Arthritis, syphilitic
DC 5007
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Arthritis, streptococcic
DC 5008
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Other specified arthropathy (excl. gout)
DC 5009
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Post-traumatic arthritis
DC 5010
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Decompression illness
DC 5011
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Bones — malignant neoplasm
DC 5012
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Osteoporosis (residuals)
DC 5013
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Osteomalacia (residuals)
DC 5014
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Bones — benign neoplasm
DC 5015
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Osteitis deformans (Paget’s)
DC 5016
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Gout
DC 5017
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Bursitis
DC 5019
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Myositis
DC 5021
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Heterotopic ossification
DC 5023
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Tenosynovitis / tendinitis / tendinopathy
DC 5024
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Shoulder replacement (prosthesis)
DC 5051
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Elbow replacement (prosthesis)
DC 5052
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Wrist replacement (prosthesis)
DC 5053
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Hip resurfacing / replacement
DC 5054
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Knee resurfacing / replacement
DC 5055
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Ankle replacement (prosthesis)
DC 5056
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Anatomical Loss of Both Hands
DC 5106
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Loss of hand + loss of use of foot
DC 5104
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Loss of foot + loss of use of hand
DC 5105
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
DC 8515
Includes official VA rating criteria with schedular percentages and key evidence themes on the guide page.
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