VA BENEFITS REFERENCE

DC 5000: Osteomyelitis, Acute, Subacute, Or Chronic

Read VA diagnostic code 5000 for Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic: published criteria, regulatory notes, related codes and official sources checked October 25, 2026.

Independent Education · Official Sources · Last Verified October 25, 2026

Published criteria from 38 CFR 4.71a, current through 2026-10-22. Historical decisions may require a different version. This reference does not diagnose a condition or determine an evaluation.

The Musculoskeletal System · All Diagnostic Codes

DC 5000: Osteomyelitis, Acute, Subacute, Or Chronic

Diagnostic code 5000 addresses Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.

Diagnostic Code 5000 - 38 CFR 4.71a
	Rating
5000 Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic:
Of the pelvis, vertebrae, or extending into major joints, or with multiple localization or with long history of intractability and debility, anemia, amyloid liver changes, or other continuous constitutional symptoms	100
Frequent episodes, with constitutional symptoms	60
With definite involucrum or sequestrum, with or without discharging sinus	30
With discharging sinus or other evidence of active infection within the past 5 years	20
Inactive, following repeated episodes, without evidence of active infection in past 5 years	10
Note (1): A rating of 10 percent, as an exception to the amputation rule, is to be assigned in any case of active osteomyelitis where the amputation rating for the affected part is no percent. This 10 percent rating and the other partial ratings of 30 percent or less are to be combined with ratings for ankylosis, limited motion, nonunion or malunion, shortening, etc., subject, of course, to the amputation rule. The 60 percent rating, as it is based on constitutional symptoms, is not subject to the amputation rule. A rating for osteomyelitis will not be applied following cure by removal or radical resection of the affected bone.
Note (2): The 20 percent rating on the basis of activity within the past 5 years is not assignable following the initial infection of active osteomyelitis with no subsequent reactivation. The prerequisite for this historical rating is an established recurrent osteomyelitis. To qualify for the 10 percent rating, 2 or more episodes following the initial infection are required. This 20 percent rating or the 10 percent rating, when applicable, will be assigned once only to cover disability at all sites of previously active infection with a future ending date in the case of the 20 percent rating.

What The Criteria Measure

Does the decision identify diagnostic code 5000, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
Do the examination findings record the relevant movement measurements and explain functional limitations, flare-ups and repeated use where applicable?
Do dated records describe the frequency and duration specified by this particular provision, using its definitions?
Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?

Related Public DBQs

Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.

Osteomyelitis

Shared Rules And Regulatory Context

Context provisions do not create an additional evaluation automatically assigned to every condition.

Related Guides

Official Sources

Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.

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