Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)

DC 5003Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5003

Wear-and-tear arthritis where the cartilage in your joints breaks down over time, causing pain and stiffness. The VA rates degenerative arthritis based on X-ray evidence and limitation of motion of the affected joints.

Rating Levels

You have X-ray evidence of arthritis with occasional incapacitating exacerbations, involving two or more major joints or two or more minor joint groups. This is the maximum rating under DC 5003 when limitation of motion is noncompensable.

What the VA looks for

X-ray evidence of degenerative arthritis
Involvement of 2 or more major joints or minor joint groups
Occasional incapacitating exacerbations documented
Treatment records showing flare-ups

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting X-rays of all affected joints — DC 5003 requires X-ray evidence. Make sure every joint with arthritis is imaged.
⚠Not understanding that if your limitation of motion is compensable, you should be rated under the specific joint code (e.g., DC 5260 for knee flexion) instead of DC 5003. DC 5003 is a fallback when motion loss is not severe enough for a compensable rating under the joint-specific code.
⚠Forgetting to document painful motion — even if your range of motion numbers look close to normal, painful motion establishes functional loss under 38 CFR 4.59.
⚠Not filing for each affected joint group separately — arthritis in the knees, spine, and shoulders should all be claimed individually.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Knee and Lower Leg Conditions
DBQ Shoulder and Arm Conditions
DBQ Hand and Finger Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

X-ray evidence of degenerative arthritis
Involvement of 2 or more major joints or minor joint groups
Occasional incapacitating exacerbations documented
Treatment records showing flare-ups

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting X-rays of all affected joints — DC 5003 requires X-ray evidence. Make sure every joint with arthritis is imaged.

⚠Not understanding that if your limitation of motion is compensable, you should be rated under the specific joint code (e.g., DC 5260 for knee flexion) instead of DC 5003. DC 5003 is a fallback when motion loss is not severe enough for a compensable rating under the joint-specific code.

⚠Forgetting to document painful motion — even if your range of motion numbers look close to normal, painful motion establishes functional loss under 38 CFR 4.59.

⚠Not filing for each affected joint group separately — arthritis in the knees, spine, and shoulders should all be claimed individually.