Reference: 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017

Sources & Related Guides

What is the VA rating for Gout & Gouty Arthritis?

Rated on limitation of motion of specific affected joint (big toe, ankle, knee) or constitutional incapacitating flare-ups across multiple joints.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

Rated on limitation of motion of specific affected joint (big toe, ankle, knee) or constitutional incapacitating flare-ups across multiple joints.

EXPLORE THIS CONDITION

Explore Gout & Gouty Arthritis Criteria & Tools

Start AssessmentAnswer condition-scoped questions using documented findings from your records or exam notes.ContinuePercentage GuideSee the published percentage tiers and what changes between them.ContinueSecondary ConditionsSee conditions commonly connected to this one in VA claims.Continue

Save this condition to find it again later. Saved only on this device and browser. Never sent to RatingScope. Lost if you clear browser data or switch devices or browsers.

Common Questions & FAQs

Start with your question

What are you trying to understand about gout & gouty arthritis?

Compare your records in assessmentRead overview

Overview

About this condition

Rated on limitation of motion of specific affected joint (big toe, ankle, knee) or constitutional incapacitating flare-ups across multiple joints.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017

This guide provides regulatory reference criteria under 38 CFR Part 4. RatingScope does not provide medical diagnoses or predict adjudicative outcomes.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

100%

Highest listed pathway

Constitutional symptoms with severe incapacitating episodes across multiple joints occurring four or more times a year.

What separates the next level: Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017 establishes the 100% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 100% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 100% criteria under 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017.
Medical evidence
Arthritis DBQ (VA Form 21-0960M-3); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
gout; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 5017

60%

Next: 100%

Four or more incapacitating episodes a year, or severe joint limitation of motion with deformity.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 100% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017 establishes the 60% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 60% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 60% criteria under 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017.
Medical evidence
Arthritis DBQ (VA Form 21-0960M-3); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
gout; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 5017

40%

Next: 60%

Two or three incapacitating episodes a year requiring prolonged bed rest and medical treatment.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017 establishes the 40% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 40% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 40% criteria under 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017.
Medical evidence
Arthritis DBQ (VA Form 21-0960M-3); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
gout; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 5017

20%

Next: 40%

Two or more major joints with painful motion and occasional flares.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 40% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017 establishes the 20% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 20% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 20% criteria under 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017.
Medical evidence
Arthritis DBQ (VA Form 21-0960M-3); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
gout; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 5017

10%

Next: 20%

One or two incapacitating flare-ups a year, or painful motion documented during examination.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 20% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017 establishes the 10% evaluation criteria.
Qualification explanation
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 10% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 10% criteria under 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017.
Medical evidence
Arthritis DBQ (VA Form 21-0960M-3); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
gout; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 5017

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Gout & Gouty Arthritis DBQ

The DBQ organizes diagnosis and clinical findings for Gout & Gouty Arthritis.

A DBQ is useful context, but RatingScope does not require uploads and this hub does not accept records.

Diagnosis and treatment records

Treatment notes can show the current condition, course over time, therapy, and clinician observations.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Official VA Forms & DBQs

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

Take the public DBQ to your private physician or review it prior to your C&P examination.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

How is Gout & Gouty Arthritis evaluated?

Rated on limitation of motion of specific affected joint (big toe, ankle, knee) or constitutional incapacitating flare-ups across multiple joints.

What separates the 100% rating from adjacent levels?

Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

What separates the 60% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 100% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 40% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 20% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 40% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 10% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 20% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Related Conditions

Continue learning through connected topics

Ready when you are

Compare documented Gout & Gouty Arthritis findings

Use diagnosis and findings already documented in your records. Do not upload records or enter sensitive identifiers. RatingScope does not infer missing medical findings or predict a VA decision.

Informational guidance only. RatingScope does not predict, decide, or guarantee VA outcomes.

Compare my Gout & Gouty Arthritis records

Learn More

Continue Understanding

External source/reference

38 CFR 4.97, DC 5017

Official regulation source for Gout & Gouty Arthritis. Use the official source for current rule text.

Open 38 CFR 4.97, DC 5017

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Gout & Gouty Arthritis

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Gout & Gouty Arthritis yet.

Keep going

Related Tools

Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.

See all tools

VA Math & Combined Ratings

Understand the whole-person method, final rounding, and bilateral limits, then calculate how percentages combine.

Open VA Math guide

Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

Open Evidence Center