Diagnostic Code 5003: Degenerative Arthritis / Osteoarthritis Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 10% to 20%
- Rating levels
- 2
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Degenerative Arthritis / Osteoarthritis under diagnostic code 5003 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 5003 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups; or, when the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved is noncompensable under the appropriate diagnostic codes, 10 percent for each such major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion, objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion What raters look forX-ray evidence of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups; noncompensable limitation of motion confirmed by swelling, muscle spasm, or painful motion |
| 20% | With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations What raters look forX-ray evidence of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups; occasional incapacitating exacerbations |
DC 5003 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 1,568 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 5003 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 19.3%, denied 66.5% and sent 14.2% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | 231 | 18.2% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 5003 rulings
Percentages use all 223 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate78.0%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened13.9%
- No exam problem recorded8.1%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 5003 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Arthritis. The Arthritis condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
Other conditions rated under this code: Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankle, Shoulder.
What happens to Arthritis appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 12,160 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Arthritis, 2021 to 2026. The Arthritis condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Arthritis appeals generally rather than DC 5003 specifically. The DC 5003 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 5003?
Diagnostic code 5003 is the VA rating schedule entry for Degenerative Arthritis / Osteoarthritis, found in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 5003?
DC 5003 provides ratings of 10%, 20%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5003 require?
The 20% rating for Degenerative Arthritis / Osteoarthritis requires: With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 5003?
In 1,531 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 5003 from 2021 to 2026, 17.8% were granted, 67.9% denied and 14.3% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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