VA Rating for Arthritis: How DC 5003 and DC 5010 Work, Including the 10% and 20% X-ray Levels
VA rates arthritis under diagnostic codes (DC) 5003 and 5010 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The first table below, DC 5003, the X-ray levels used in the absence of limitation of motion, has 2 levels: 10% and 20%; 1 more table follows, one for each of the other codes. Each table quotes its levels word for word from the current CFR text and adds a one-line summary; the 2026 monthly compensation figures are VA's published rates for every rating in these tables.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Criteria checked against the eCFR and Federal Register October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Arthritis rating criteria in 38 CFR § 4.71a
Diagnostic codes: DC 5003 Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic; DC 5010 Post-traumatic arthritis. Criteria are quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary and is not part of the regulation.
Lead-in text printed in the CFR before the rows (quotation):
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:
| Rating | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups | X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups. |
| 20% | With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations | The same X-ray evidence, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. |
All 2 notes printed with these criteria (quotation):
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.
5010 Post-traumatic arthritis:
Another rating table of 38 CFR § 4.71a that this page covers. Quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary.
Lead-in text printed in the CFR before the rows (quotation):
Rate as limitation of motion, dislocation, or other specified instability under the affected joint. If there are 2 or more joints affected, each rating shall be combined in accordance with § 4.25.
2026 VA monthly pay at each arthritis rating
| Rating | Veteran alone | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 20% | $356.66 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
VA does not add ratings together. When a veteran has more than one rated condition, VA combines them with its combined ratings table (38 CFR § 4.25), so the amounts above apply to a combined rating, not to this condition alone. Work out a combined rating with the VA disability calculator at /va-disability-calculator/.
VA disability calculator · Full VA disability pay chart with children and parents
How the criteria are written
DC 5003 does not rate a joint by itself. It says 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". Only when limitation of motion is noncompensable under those codes does a 10 pct rating apply for each major joint or group of minor joints, and only in the absence of limitation of motion do the 10% and 20% X-ray levels in the table apply.
Note (1) says the 20 pct and 10 pct ratings based on X-ray findings are not combined with ratings based on limitation of motion. Note (2) says those X-ray ratings are not used for conditions listed under diagnostic codes 5013 to 5024, inclusive, which includes DC 5017 (gout).
The lead-in text requires that limitation of motion be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion.
DC 5010 (post-traumatic arthritis) has no rating levels of its own. It sends the rating to limitation of motion, dislocation or other specified instability under the affected joint, with each affected joint combined under § 4.25. The joint tables for the knee are on the knee page and for the spine on the back pain page.
VA publishes Disability Benefits Questionnaires for this area (benefits.va.gov): Arthritis DBQ.
Is this the current rule?
Source text. § 4.71a Schedule of ratings—musculoskeletal system. from the eCFR (38 CFR Part 4), text up to date as of October 22, 2026, retrieved October 26, 2026. Read the section on eCFR.
Latest final rule affecting the section. 86 FR 8142 (final rule), Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Musculoskeletal System and Muscle Injuries; Correction, published February 4, 2021, effective February 7, 2021. Latest entry in the section's amendment history in the eCFR. It corrects the 2020 musculoskeletal rule (85 FR 76453), which changed several joint, arthritis and foot entries in this section (CFR Appendix A dates those changes February 7, 2021).
Rule that changed some of these entries. 85 FR 76453, effective February 7, 2021. The 2020 musculoskeletal final rule changed only the title of DC 5003 and the title and criteria of DC 5010; CFR Appendix A dates those changes February 7, 2021 and records no 2021 change to the DC 5003 criteria.
- DC 5003: Added July 6, 1950; title February 7, 2021.
- DC 5010: Title, criteria February 7, 2021.
Upcoming changes. Our Federal Register search on October 26, 2026 found no final rule for this section with an effective date after that day.
Proposed rules. The search found no proposed rule that would change these criteria.
Related conditions
- Knee: Arthritis of the knee is rated through the knee codes (DC 5256 to 5263) that DC 5003 and DC 5010 point to.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: DC 5002 rates multi-joint arthritis as an active process; Note (2) sends chronic residuals back to DC 5003.
- Back pain (spine): The spine General Rating Formula also covers degenerative arthritis of the spine (DC 5242).
- All VA disability ratings by condition
Questions about the Arthritis rating
What diagnostic code does VA use for arthritis?
Arthritis is rated under diagnostic codes (DC) 5003 and 5010 in 38 CFR § 4.71a, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The code lists are quoted from the eCFR text current as of October 22, 2026.
What are the VA rating levels for arthritis?
The first table on this page, DC 5003, the X-ray levels used in the absence of limitation of motion, has 2 levels: 10% and 20%. The other diagnostic codes of arthritis have their own tables on this page with their own levels. VA decides which code and level applies to a claim.
How much is VA disability pay for an arthritis rating in 2026?
VA's 2026 monthly rates for a veteran alone are 10%: $180.42; 20%: $356.66. Rates took effect December 1, 2025. The amount you are paid depends on your combined rating, not on this condition alone.
Are ratings for arthritis added to my other ratings?
No. VA does not add ratings together; it combines them using the combined ratings table in 38 CFR § 4.25. Use the VA disability calculator on this site at /va-disability-calculator/ to see how ratings combine.
How is gout rated?
DC 5017 (Gout) has no rating levels of its own in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The note under DC 5013 to 5024 says: "Note to DCs 5013 through 5024: Evaluate the diseases under diagnostic codes 5013 through 5024 as degenerative arthritis, based on limitation of motion of affected parts." DC 5002 (multi-joint arthritis as an active process) excludes gout in its title. What level applies depends on the limitation of motion of the affected joints, which VA decides.
Which joints count as major joints in DC 5003?
Section 4.45(f) says: "For the purpose of rating disability from arthritis, the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle are considered major joints; multiple involvements of the interphalangeal, metacarpal and carpal joints of the upper extremities, the interphalangeal, metatarsal and tarsal joints of the lower extremities, the cervical vertebrae, the dorsal vertebrae, and the lumbar vertebrae, are considered groups of minor joints, ratable on a parity with major joints."
Is rheumatoid arthritis rated under DC 5003?
Rheumatoid arthritis is named as an example in Note (1) of DC 5002, which rates multi-joint arthritis as an active process. Note (2) of DC 5002 says that for chronic residuals, rate under diagnostic code 5003. See the rheumatoid arthritis page for the DC 5002 levels.
Does this page decide my VA rating?
No. FedRateCalc is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This page quotes the rating schedule and VA's published rates for information only; it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides the rating and the payment.