Reference: 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5000

What is the VA rating for Osteomyelitis?

The published Osteomyelitis schedule uses specific diagnostic codes.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

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Under 38 CFR 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5000, VA rates Osteomyelitis based on the severity of episodes, history of active infection, and constitutional symptoms.

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Overview

About this condition

Under 38 CFR 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5000, VA rates Osteomyelitis based on the severity of episodes, history of active infection, and constitutional symptoms.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5000

This guide is educational only. RatingScope does not diagnose Osteomyelitis, cannot determine service connection, and does not predict a VA decision. This provides the standard regulatory rule for evaluating Osteomyelitis.

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

Extending into major joints or with long history of intractability and constitutional symptoms.

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Official CFR language: Of the pelvis, vertebrae, or extending into major joints, or with multiple localization or with long history of intractability and debility, anemia, amyloid liver changes, or other continuous constitutional symptoms
Qualification explanation: This level applies for severe, intractable, or widespread cases with continuous constitutional symptoms.
Medical evidence: Records showing extension into major joints or pelvis/vertebrae; Documentation of intractable debility, anemia, or other continuous constitutional symptoms

60%

Next: 100% requires extension into major joints or continuous constitutional symptoms.

Frequent episodes with constitutional symptoms.

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Official CFR language: Frequent episodes, with constitutional symptoms
Qualification explanation: Applies when there are frequent episodes of infection accompanied by constitutional symptoms.
Medical evidence: Records of frequent episodes and associated constitutional symptoms

30%

Next: 60% requires frequent episodes with constitutional symptoms.

Definite involucrum or sequestrum.

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Official CFR language: With definite involucrum or sequestrum, with or without discharging sinus
Qualification explanation: Applies when dead bone (sequestrum) or new bone formation (involucrum) is present, even without a discharging sinus.
Medical evidence: Imaging or medical records showing involucrum or sequestrum

20%

Next: 30% requires a definite involucrum or sequestrum.

Active infection within the past 5 years.

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Official CFR language: With discharging sinus or other evidence of active infection within the past 5 years
Qualification explanation: Applies if there has been a discharging sinus or active infection within the last 5 years.
Medical evidence: Records of discharging sinus or active infection in the last 5 years

10%

Next: 20% requires active infection within the past 5 years.

Inactive, but with a history of repeated episodes.

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Official CFR language: Inactive, following repeated episodes, without evidence of active infection in past 5 years
Qualification explanation: This is the minimum rating for inactive osteomyelitis following repeated past episodes.
Medical evidence: Records of past repeated episodes with no active infection in the past 5 years

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Medical Evidence 1

A confirmed medical diagnosis of Osteomyelitis.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

Medical Evidence 2

Imaging or medical records showing the current state of infection, presence of involucrum/sequestrum, or discharging sinus.

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

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Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Osteomyelitis

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Osteomyelitis yet.

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VA Math & Combined Ratings

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Evidence Center

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