Osteomyelitis

DC 5000Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5000

A bone infection that can be caused by bacteria entering through a wound, surgery, or spreading through the bloodstream. The VA rates osteomyelitis based on whether the infection is active or inactive, the presence of draining sinuses, and how often episodes occur.

Rating Levels

Your osteomyelitis causes frequent episodes with constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, weight loss, or fatigue. The infection is severe and recurring.

What the VA looks for

Frequent episodes of active osteomyelitis
Constitutional symptoms: fever, chills, weight loss, fatigue
Multiple hospitalizations or prolonged IV antibiotics
Significant bone destruction on imaging
Severe functional limitation of the affected area

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not maintaining thorough medical records of every infection episode — the rating depends on the frequency and timing of active infections. Every flare-up should be documented with cultures, labs, and imaging.
⚠Not understanding the 5-year lookback period — if you had active infection within the past 5 years, you qualify for a higher rating than if the infection has been inactive longer than that.
⚠Not getting advanced imaging — X-rays may not show early bone changes. MRI or bone scans are better at detecting active osteomyelitis and should be part of your evidence.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — osteomyelitis can cause permanent bone damage, joint problems, limb-length discrepancy, or scarring that may each warrant separate ratings.
⚠Not documenting constitutional symptoms during flare-ups — fever, chills, weight loss, and fatigue during episodes support the highest rating level. Report these to your doctor during every episode.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Bone Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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

Osteomyelitis

Rating Levels

Your osteomyelitis causes frequent episodes with constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, weight loss, or fatigue. The infection is severe and recurring.

What the VA looks for

Frequent episodes of active osteomyelitis
Constitutional symptoms: fever, chills, weight loss, fatigue
Multiple hospitalizations or prolonged IV antibiotics
Significant bone destruction on imaging
Severe functional limitation of the affected area

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not maintaining thorough medical records of every infection episode — the rating depends on the frequency and timing of active infections. Every flare-up should be documented with cultures, labs, and imaging.

⚠Not understanding the 5-year lookback period — if you had active infection within the past 5 years, you qualify for a higher rating than if the infection has been inactive longer than that.

⚠Not getting advanced imaging — X-rays may not show early bone changes. MRI or bone scans are better at detecting active osteomyelitis and should be part of your evidence.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — osteomyelitis can cause permanent bone damage, joint problems, limb-length discrepancy, or scarring that may each warrant separate ratings.

⚠Not documenting constitutional symptoms during flare-ups — fever, chills, weight loss, and fatigue during episodes support the highest rating level. Report these to your doctor during every episode.