United States · VA disability · 38 CFR 4.71a
VA diagnostic code 5003: degenerative arthritis.
Rating criteria for diagnostic code 5003, quoted from the regulation.
DC 5003 rates degenerative arthritis on limitation of motion under the code for the joint involved. Only when that limitation is noncompensable does it give 10 percent per major joint or group of minor joints, and when there is no limitation, 10 or 20 percent on X-ray evidence.
The short version
DC 5003 rates degenerative arthritis on limitation of motion under the code for the joint involved. Only when that limitation is noncompensable does it give 10 percent per major joint or group of minor joints, and when there is no limitation, 10 or 20 percent on X-ray evidence. The levels in the code are 10 and 20 percent.
DC 5003 rating criteria
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:
Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic (when there is no limitation of motion)
| Criteria (quoted from the regulation) | Rating |
|---|---|
| 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% |
Notes in the regulation
- 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.
How to read DC 5003
DC 5003 is different from most diagnostic codes because it mostly points elsewhere. The first rule in the text is that arthritis confirmed by X-ray is rated under the limitation-of-motion code for the joint involved, such as the knee codes 5260 and 5261 or the shoulder and hip codes. The 5003 percentages only come into play in two situations: the limitation of motion is noncompensable (10 percent per major joint or group of minor joints, combined, not added), or there is no limitation of motion at all (10 or 20 percent on X-ray evidence).
The code also says limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed, naming swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion as examples. Notes (1) and (2) keep the X-ray based 10 and 20 percent levels from being stacked on top of limitation-of-motion ratings and from being used for the conditions in codes 5013 to 5024.
Related text in 4.71a: DC 5002 covers multi-joint arthritis as an active process, and its Note (3) says that active-process ratings are not combined with the residual limitation-of-motion, ankylosis or DC 5003 ratings; the higher evaluation is assigned instead.
What this page does not do
It does not diagnose, pick a diagnostic code, estimate your rating or advise on a claim. Every rating decision depends on the medical evidence and on VA’s application of the full schedule, including provisions this page does not reproduce.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rating levels for DC 5003?
The code itself lists 10 and 20 percent for X-ray evidence without limitation of motion, and 10 percent per major joint or group of minor joints when limitation of motion is noncompensable. Otherwise the rating comes from the limitation-of-motion code for the joint.
Is arthritis rated under DC 5003 or under the joint codes?
The text says arthritis established by X-ray is rated on limitation of motion under the appropriate codes for the joint involved. DC 5003 percentages apply only when that limitation is noncompensable or absent.
What counts as a major joint or minor joint group?
38 CFR 4.45(f) says that for rating arthritis, the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle are 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, and the cervical, dorsal and lumbar vertebrae are groups of minor joints. The lumbosacral articulation and both sacroiliac joints are considered one group of minor joints.
Can the 20 percent X-ray rating be combined with a limitation-of-motion rating?
No. Note (1) says the 20 and 10 percent X-ray ratings will not be combined with ratings based on limitation of motion.
Does limitation of motion have to be proven?
The text says it must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion.
Does this page say what rating I should get?
No. It reproduces the published criteria. VA decides the diagnosis and the rating, and this page is not medical or claim advice.
Sources
Read directly from the primary sources below on November 2, 2026 (eCFR text current through October 29, 2026). Quotations are the regulation text; anything labelled as a reading or calculation is TNAADO's. The schedule is amended from time to time, so check the linked section for the latest text.
Reference, not a VA determination, medical advice or claim advice
Rating criteria summarized from 38 CFR 4.71a as of October 29, 2026 (eCFR). This page reproduces published criteria so you can read them; it does not tell you whether you qualify, what your rating should be, or how to file. VA decides the diagnosis, the code and the rating. It is not legal, financial or medical advice; an accredited representative (VSO, attorney or claims agent) can review your case.