Browse VA Diagnostic Codes by Body Area

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can be short-term (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). The VA rates this condition from 10% to 100% based on how severe...

The VA does not rate tuberculous involvement of bones or joints under a single ladder. During active disease, the rating is 100%. Once inactivity is attained...

This rating covers multi-joint arthritis affecting 2 or more joints where there's active inflammation (swelling, pain, stiffness) going on right now. The VA...

Degenerative arthritis (also called osteoarthritis) is the wear-and-tear breakdown of cartilage in your joints that happens over time, but this code specific...

Gonorrheal arthritis is joint inflammation caused by the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea that spreads to your joints. The VA doesn't have specific r...

Pneumococcic arthritis is joint inflammation caused by pneumococcal bacteria (the same bug that causes pneumonia). This is a fairly rare condition that typic...

Typhoid arthritis is joint inflammation caused by typhoid fever, a bacterial infection that was more common in earlier military service eras. This is a cross...

Syphilitic arthritis is joint inflammation and damage caused by syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can affect joints if left untreated. This is...

Streptococcic arthritis is joint inflammation caused by streptococcal bacteria (the same type that causes strep throat). This diagnostic code 5008 doesn't ha...

Diagnostic Code 5009 covers specific types of arthritis that don't fit into the main arthritis categories, including conditions like Charcot neuropathic arth...

Post-traumatic arthritis is joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that develops after an injury to a joint - like from a car accident, fall, or combat injury....

Decompression illness, also known as 'the bends,' happens when nitrogen bubbles form in your blood and tissues after rapid changes in pressure - typically fr...

This diagnostic code covers malignant (cancerous) bone tumors, whether they started in the bone itself (primary) or spread to the bone from cancer elsewhere...

Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become weak and brittle, often breaking easily from minor falls or even daily activities. This diagnostic code 5...

Osteomalacia is a condition where your bones become soft due to lack of vitamin D or problems absorbing it, often called 'adult rickets.' The VA doesn't have...

Diagnostic Code 5015 covers benign bone tumors (non-cancerous growths in your bones). The VA doesn't provide specific rating percentages for this code becaus...

Osteitis deformans, also known as Paget's disease, is a bone disorder where your bones grow abnormally large, weak, and deformed. The VA doesn't have specifi...

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe pain and swelling in your joints, often starting in your big toe. The VA doesn't have specific rating...

Diagnostic Code 5018 has been removed from the VA's rating schedule and is no longer used for evaluating veterans' conditions. This means if you see this cod...

Bursitis is inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion your joints, causing pain and swelling. Diagnostic Code 5019 does not have its...

Diagnostic Code 5020 has been removed from the VA's rating schedule and is no longer used for rating any conditions. If you have a claim that previously refe...

Myositis is inflammation of your muscles that causes pain, weakness, and sometimes swelling. Diagnostic Code 5021 does not have its own separate rating table...

Diagnostic Code 5022 has been removed from the VA's rating schedule and is no longer used for evaluating any musculoskeletal conditions. If you're seeing thi...

Heterotopic ossification is when bone forms in places where it shouldn't be - like in muscles, tendons, or other soft tissues around joints. This unusual bon...

Diagnostic Code 5024 covers tendon conditions like tenosynovitis (inflamed tendon sheaths), tendinitis (inflamed tendons), and tendinosis (chronic tendon deg...

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread muscle pain, stiffness, and tender points throughout your body, often accompanied by fatigue and s...

This diagnostic code covers shoulder replacement surgery where you've had an artificial joint (prosthesis) implanted. The VA automatically gives you 100% dis...

This diagnostic code covers veterans who have had their elbow joint replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis). The VA automatically gives you a 100% rat...

This diagnostic code covers veterans who have had their wrist joint surgically replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis). The VA automatically gives you...

This rating covers veterans who have had hip replacement surgery or hip resurfacing (a less invasive procedure that caps the hip joint). The VA automatically...

This code covers veterans who've had knee replacement surgery or knee resurfacing (where they smooth out damaged cartilage and bone surfaces). The VA gives y...

This diagnostic code covers veterans who have received an ankle replacement (artificial ankle joint). The VA gives you an automatic 100% rating for the full...

This diagnostic code covers the specific combination of losing one complete hand (either through amputation or total loss of function) plus losing the use of...

Diagnostic Code 5105 covers the specific situation where you've lost one foot (either through amputation or it's completely non-functional) AND lost the use...

Diagnostic Code 5106 covers the complete anatomical loss of both hands - meaning both hands have been physically amputated or are completely missing. This is...

Diagnostic Code 5107 covers the complete anatomical loss of both feet through amputation or injury. This is one of the most severe lower extremity disabiliti...

Diagnostic Code 5108 covers the anatomical loss (amputation) of one hand and one foot - meaning you're missing both limbs, not just having limited use of the...

Diagnostic Code 5109 covers the complete loss of use of both hands, which is one of the most severe musculoskeletal disabilities the VA rates. This doesn't n...

Diagnostic Code 5110 covers the complete loss of use of both feet, which the VA treats the same as if both feet were amputated. This is one of the most sever...

Diagnostic Code 5111 covers the loss of use of one hand and one foot together - this means both limbs are essentially non-functional due to injury, disease,...

This diagnostic code covers complete amputation of your entire arm or significant portions of it. The VA rates these amputations at either 90% or 100% depend...

Diagnostic Code 5121 covers amputations or complete loss of use of your arm above where the deltoid muscle attaches (that's the point muscle on your shoulder...

This diagnostic code covers amputation or complete loss of use of your arm below where the deltoid muscle attaches (basically below your shoulder muscle). Th...

Diagnostic Code 5123 covers amputations or complete loss of use of your arm above where the pronator teres muscle attaches (roughly the middle of your forear...

Diagnostic Code 5124 covers amputations or complete loss of use of your forearm below where the pronator teres muscle attaches (roughly the middle of your fo...

Diagnostic Code 5125 covers situations where you've completely lost the use of your hand, even though the hand is still physically there. This is different f...

Diagnostic code 5126 covers the amputation (complete loss) of all five fingers on one hand. This is what the VA calls a 'fixed rating' condition, meaning you...

Diagnostic code 5127 covers situations where you've lost your thumb, index, long (middle), and ring fingers through amputation or complete loss of use. This...

Diagnostic Code 5128 covers amputation or complete loss of use of your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and little finger on one hand. This is a serious c...

Diagnostic Code 5129 covers amputation or complete loss of use of your thumb, index finger, ring finger, and little finger - basically losing four of your fi...

Diagnostic Code 5130 covers amputation or complete loss of use of your thumb plus your long finger (middle), ring finger, and little finger - basically four...

This diagnostic code covers complete amputation or loss of four fingers on one hand - your index, long (middle), ring, and little fingers. The VA rates this...

Diagnostic Code 5132 covers amputation or loss of your thumb, index finger, and long (middle) finger on the same hand. The VA rates this specific combination...

Diagnostic Code 5133 covers injuries or conditions affecting three specific fingers on one hand: your thumb, index finger (pointer finger), and ring finger....

This diagnostic code covers situations where you've lost the use of three specific fingers on one hand: your thumb, index finger, and little finger. The VA r...

Diagnostic Code 5135 covers disabilities affecting your thumb, long finger (middle finger), and ring finger together as a combined condition. The VA rates th...

This diagnostic code covers conditions affecting your thumb, long finger (middle finger), and little finger (pinky). The VA uses a single 50% rating for this...

Diagnostic Code 5137 covers disabilities affecting three specific fingers on one hand: the thumb, ring finger, and little finger. This is a specialized ratin...

This diagnostic code covers conditions affecting three specific fingers on your hand: the index finger (pointer finger), long finger (middle finger), and rin...

Diagnostic Code 5139 covers injuries or conditions affecting three specific fingers: your index finger (pointer finger), long finger (middle finger), and lit...

This diagnostic code covers disabilities affecting three specific fingers on one hand - your index (pointer), ring, and little fingers together. The VA rates...

Diagnostic Code 5141 covers conditions affecting your long finger (middle), ring finger, and little finger together as a group. This code appears to be incom...

Diagnostic Code 5142 covers combined injuries or conditions affecting both your thumb and index finger on the same hand. The VA rates this condition at a fla...

Diagnostic Code 5143 appears to be an incomplete or outdated rating code that references 'Thumb and long' - likely referring to thumb and finger injuries tog...

Diagnostic Code 5144 for 'Thumb and ring' appears to be an incomplete or cross-reference code in the VA rating system, as it only shows a single 40% rating w...

Diagnostic Code 5145 covers combined injuries or conditions affecting both your thumb and little finger on the same hand. The VA rates this specific combinat...

Diagnostic Code 5146 covers disabilities affecting both your index finger (pointer finger) and long finger (middle finger) together. The VA rates this combin...

Diagnostic Code 5147 covers loss of function or amputation of both your index finger and ring finger on the same hand. The VA rates this specific combination...

Diagnostic Code 5148 covers injuries or conditions affecting both your index finger (pointer finger) and little finger (pinky) on the same hand. The VA rates...

Diagnostic Code 5149 covers conditions affecting both your long finger (middle finger) and ring finger together. The VA rates this combination at 20% disabil...

Diagnostic Code 5150 covers conditions affecting the long bones (like your arm and leg bones) and little finger. The VA rates this at 20% maximum disability....

Diagnostic Code 5151 covers injuries or conditions affecting both your ring finger and little finger on the same hand. The VA rates this as a combined condit...

This diagnostic code covers partial or complete loss of the thumb due to injury, disease, or surgical removal. The VA rates thumb amputations at two levels:...

This diagnostic code covers the amputation (loss) of your index finger at different levels. The VA gives you a 20% rating if your finger was amputated at or...

This rating covers veterans who have lost part or all of a finger on their hand (not including the thumb, which has its own rating code). The VA gives you ei...

This rating covers amputation (surgical removal) of your ring finger. The VA gives you 10% if the finger was removed without taking much of the hand bone (me...

This diagnostic code covers the loss of your little finger, either partially or completely. The VA rates this condition at 20% if more than half of the metac...

This diagnostic code covers the most severe lower leg amputations - where your entire leg and part of your pelvis have been surgically removed. The VA rates...

This diagnostic code covers amputation or complete loss of use of your leg in the upper third of your thigh - specifically, the area that's one-third of the...

Diagnostic Code 5162 covers amputations or complete loss of use in the middle or lower thirds of certain body parts, typically fingers or limbs. This is a fi...

This diagnostic code covers situations where you have a leg amputation below the knee, but the remaining part of your leg (called the stump) has serious prob...

Diagnostic Code 5164 covers amputations where a prosthetic device can't be controlled by your natural knee movement - typically amputations above the knee or...

Diagnostic Code 5165 covers amputations at the lower leg level where you can still use a prosthetic (artificial limb). This is a fixed rating code, meaning y...

Diagnostic Code 5166 covers amputation of the forefoot where more than half of the metatarsal bones (the long bones in your foot between your ankle and toes)...

This diagnostic code covers situations where you've completely lost the use of your foot, even if it's still physically attached to your leg. This could be f...

This diagnostic code covers the complete amputation of all toes on one foot, whether it's just the toes themselves or includes up to half of the long bones b...

This covers amputation (surgical removal) of your big toe, which the VA rates based on how much of the toe and foot structure was removed. If just the toe wa...

This diagnostic code covers the amputation of toes (not the big toe) where part of the foot bone (metatarsal head) was also removed during surgery. The VA ra...

This rating covers the amputation of three or four toes at once, but the amputation doesn't go back into the long bones of your foot (the metatarsals). The V...

Scapulohumeral articulation ankylosis is when your shoulder joint becomes completely stiff or fused, meaning the joint where your shoulder blade meets your u...

This diagnostic code covers situations where you have limited movement in your arm, specifically at the shoulder joint. The VA rates this condition based on...

This rating covers various problems with your upper arm bone (humerus) that don't fit into other specific categories. The VA rates these injuries from 20% to...

This diagnostic code covers injuries or problems with your clavicle (collarbone) or scapula (shoulder blade). The VA rates these conditions based on how well...

Elbow ankylosis means your elbow joint has become completely stiff and fused in one position - you can't bend or straighten it at all. The VA rates this cond...

This diagnostic code covers conditions where you can't bend your elbow normally - specifically when your ability to flex (bend) your forearm toward your uppe...

This condition covers when your forearm can't fully extend (straighten out) at the elbow due to injury or disease. The VA rates this based on how many degree...

This diagnostic code covers limited movement in your forearm - specifically when you can only bend it to 100 degrees and extend it to 45 degrees from the neu...

This diagnostic code covers severe elbow problems, including a 'flail joint' (where your elbow has lost almost all stability and moves abnormally) and badly...

This condition involves a complete failure of broken radius and ulna bones (the two bones in your forearm) to heal properly, creating what's called a 'flail...

This rating covers injuries to your ulna, which is one of the two bones in your forearm (the one on your pinky side). The VA rates ulna impairment based on h...

This rating covers injuries to your radius bone - one of the two bones in your forearm that runs from your elbow to your thumb side of your wrist. The VA rat...

This condition affects your ability to rotate your forearm and hand - supination means turning your palm up (like holding soup), while pronation means turnin...

Wrist ankylosis means your wrist joint has become completely fused or locked in one position due to injury, disease, or surgery. The VA rates this condition...

This diagnostic code covers wrist injuries or conditions that limit your ability to bend your wrist down toward your palm (called palmar flexion). The VA onl...

This diagnostic code covers unfavorable ankylosis (stiff, fused joints) affecting all five digits of one hand. Ankylosis is unfavorable when the fingers are...

This rating covers when four fingers on one hand are locked in a bad position (unfavorable ankylosis). The VA rates it from 40% to 60% depending on which fin...

This rating covers when three fingers on one hand are stuck in a fixed position due to ankylosis (joint fusion or severe stiffness) that limits their usefuln...

This code covers when two fingers on one hand are stuck in a fixed position (called ankylosis) in a way that severely limits their usefulness. The VA rates t...

This condition covers when all five fingers on one hand are stuck in a favorable position from ankylosis, meaning the joints are fused but the fingers sit in...

This rating applies when four fingers on one hand are stuck in a fixed but still-useful position (favorable ankylosis). The VA rates it from 30% to 50% depen...

This diagnostic code covers favorable ankylosis (permanent stiffening in a usable position) of three fingers on one hand. The VA rates this from 20% to 40% d...

This rating covers when two fingers on one hand are stuck in a usable but fused position (favorable ankylosis). The VA rates it from 10% to 30% depending on...

Ankylosis of the thumb means your thumb joint has become completely stiff and immobile, usually due to injury, arthritis, or surgery. The VA rates this condi...

Ankylosis of the index finger means your index finger joint is completely stiff and can't bend or move normally - it's essentially frozen in place. This can...

This condition involves the complete stiffening (ankylosis) of one of your long fingers - your index, middle, ring, or pinkie finger - where the joints can't...

Ankylosis of the ring or little finger means your finger joint has become completely stiff and immobile, essentially 'frozen' in one position. The VA rates t...

This diagnostic code covers thumb injuries or conditions that limit your ability to move your thumb properly, specifically how well you can touch your thumb...

This condition covers limited movement in your index finger or middle finger due to injury or disease. The VA rates this at either 10% or 0% based on how wel...

This diagnostic code covers limited movement in your ring finger or little finger due to injury or disease. The VA rates this condition based on how much you...

This diagnostic code covers vertebral fractures or dislocations - basically broken or displaced bones in your spine, whether in your neck (cervical) or back...

Sacroiliac injury affects the joint where your lower back connects to your pelvis, often causing pain and weakness in that area. The VA rates this condition...

Diagnostic Code 5237 covers lumbosacral strain (lower back) or cervical strain (neck), injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues around your spine...

Spinal stenosis is when your spinal canal narrows and squeezes your spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. The VA rates this condit...

Spondylolisthesis is when one of your vertebrae (spine bones) slips forward or backward over the one below it. Segmental instability means parts of your spin...

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that mainly affects your spine, causing inflammation that can eventually lead to vertebrae fusing together (ank...

Spinal fusion covers vertebrae that have been surgically joined together, often due to injury or degenerative conditions. The VA rates this condition under t...

Diagnostic Code 5242 covers degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease in your spine (wear-and-tear damage that causes your vertebrae and discs to...

Diagnostic Code 5243 covers intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), assigned only when disc herniation compresses or irritates an adjacent nerve root; other dis...

Diagnostic Code 5244 covers complete traumatic paralysis (when an injury has caused total loss of movement). DC 5244 itself has no rating percentage; the VA...

Hip ankylosis means your hip joint has become completely stiff and fused, losing all ability to move normally. The VA rates this at three levels based on the...

This diagnostic code covers conditions that limit how far you can straighten your thigh at the hip joint. The VA rates this at 10% when you can only extend (...

This diagnostic code rates limited flexibility in your thigh muscle - specifically how much you can bend your thigh up toward your stomach (called hip flexio...

This diagnostic code covers problems with your thigh that affect how well your hip joint moves, specifically issues with moving your leg away from your body...

A flail joint hip is a severe condition where the hip joint has completely lost its stability and moves abnormally in all directions due to massive bone loss...

This diagnostic code covers impairment of the femur (your thigh bone) when it doesn't heal properly after a fracture. The VA rates this condition at either 6...

Ankylosis of the knee means your knee joint has become completely stiff and fused in one position - it can't bend or straighten anymore. The VA rates this co...

Diagnostic Code 5257 covers knee instability and is split into two sub-categories, each with its own 10-30% ladder. Recurrent subluxation or instability (gen...

This code covers a dislocated meniscus (the rubbery cartilage cushions in your knee) that causes your knee to frequently 'lock up,' creates ongoing pain, and...

This diagnostic code covers situations where you've had cartilage removed from your knee (the semilunar cartilage is also called the meniscus - the C-shaped...

This rating covers when you can't bend your leg normally at the knee joint - specifically, how far you can pull your heel toward your buttocks. The VA measur...

This rating covers your leg when you can't fully straighten it at the knee - meaning your knee stays partially bent and won't extend to a normal straight pos...

This diagnostic code covers problems with your tibia and fibula - the two bones in your lower leg between your knee and ankle. The VA rates these injuries ba...

Genu recurvatum is when your knee bends backward beyond its normal range, usually from an injury that damaged the ligaments or muscles that normally keep you...

Plantar fasciitis is that stabbing heel pain (especially when you first step out of bed in the morning) caused by inflammation of the thick tissue on the bot...

Ankle ankylosis means your ankle joint has become completely fused or locked in one position - you can't move it up, down, or side to side anymore. The VA ra...

Diagnostic Code 5271 covers ankle joints that have lost their normal range of motion due to injury, arthritis, or other conditions. The VA rates this based o...

This code covers ankylosis (complete fusion and loss of motion) in your subastragalar or other tarsal joints in your foot. These are the joints in your midfo...

This diagnostic code covers malunion (improper healing) of two specific bones in your foot and ankle - the heel bone (os calcis) and the ankle bone that conn...

Astragalectomy means you've had your talus bone surgically removed from your ankle. The talus is a key bone that sits between your shinbone and heel bone, he...

This diagnostic code covers when one of your legs is shorter than the other due to a service-connected injury or condition affecting the bones in your lower...

Acquired flatfoot is when your foot arches collapse after birth (from injury, overuse, or wear and tear during service). The VA rates this condition from 0%...

Diagnostic Code 5277 covers bilateral weak foot, which means weakness in both feet that affects your ability to walk, stand, or bear weight properly. The VA...

Acquired claw foot (pes cavus) is when your foot develops an abnormally high arch and the toes curl downward, often after injury or neurological damage. The...

Metatarsalgia is chronic pain in the ball of your foot, often caused by Morton's disease (a thickening of tissue around nerves between your toes). The VA rat...

Hallux valgus is the medical term for a bunion - when your big toe bends toward your other toes and creates a painful bump on the side of your foot. The VA o...

Hallux rigidus is severe stiffness and arthritis in your big toe joint that makes it hard to bend or move your toe normally. The VA doesn't have separate rat...

Hammer toe is when one or more of your toes gets stuck in a bent position, looking like a hammer. The VA rates this condition from 0% to 10% depending on how...

This condition covers broken bones in your foot that didn't heal properly - either they healed crooked (malunion) or didn't heal together at all (nonunion)....

Diagnostic Code 5284 covers foot injuries that don't fit into other specific foot condition categories - things like chronic pain from old fractures, ligamen...

This diagnostic code covers situations where you've lost part of your skull bone, including both the outer layer and inner layer of the skull. The VA rates t...

This diagnostic code covers situations where you've had one or more ribs surgically removed, typically due to injury, cancer, or other medical conditions. Th...

This diagnostic code covers veterans who have had their coccyx (tailbone) surgically removed, either partially or completely. The VA rates this condition bas...