VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
DC 5003: Degenerative Arthritis, Other Than Post-Traumatic
Read VA diagnostic code 5003 for Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic: published criteria, regulatory notes, related codes and official sources checked 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 5003: Degenerative Arthritis, Other Than Post-Traumatic
Diagnostic code 5003 addresses Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic. 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.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 5003 Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic: | |
| Degenerative arthritis established by X-ray findings will be rated on the basis of limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved (DC 5200 etc.). When however, the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved is noncompensable under the appropriate diagnostic codes, a rating of 10 pct is for application for each such major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion, to be combined, not added under diagnostic code 5003. Limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. In the absence of limitation of motion, rate as below: | |
| With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations | 20 |
| With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups | 10 |
| Note (1): The 20 pct and 10 pct ratings based on X-ray findings, above, will not be combined with ratings based on limitation of motion. | |
| Note (2): The 20 pct and 10 pct ratings based on X-ray findings, above, will not be utilized in rating conditions listed under diagnostic codes 5013 to 5024, inclusive. |
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 5003, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
No public condition DBQ is mapped to this code. Consult the official public DBQ list and examination instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
- DC 5013: Osteoporosis, residuals of
- DC 5014: Osteomalacia, residuals of
- DC 5015: Bones, neoplasm, benign
- DC 5016: Osteitis deformans
- DC 5017: Gout
- DC 5019: Bursitis
- DC 5021: Myositis
- DC 5023: Heterotopic ossification
- DC 5024: Tenosynovitis, tendinitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy
- DC 5200: Scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis of
Shared Rules And Regulatory Context
- 38 CFR 4.71a Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.40 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.41 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.42 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.43 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.44 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.45 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.46 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.57 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.58 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.59 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.61 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.62 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.63 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.64 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.66 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.67 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.68 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.69 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.70 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.71 Context And Notes
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.
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71a
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.40
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.41
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.42
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.43
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.44
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.45
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.46
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.57
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.58
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.59
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.61
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.62
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.63
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.64
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.66
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.67
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.68
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.69
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.70
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71
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