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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Common Questions & FAQs

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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
What the published criteria say: 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
What the published criteria say: 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
What the published criteria say: 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
What the published criteria say: 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
What the published criteria say: 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

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Understand the details behind the criteria

Use these short guides to connect published terms with the records and observations that may clarify them.

Active infection versus inactive bone residuals

The schedule separates active bone infection with drainage and constitutional symptoms from inactive osteomyelitis, which is rated on residual bone or joint impairment.

Active osteomyelitis is characterized by discharging sinuses, bone pain, fever, and radiographic evidence of involucrum or sequestrum formation.
A prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics or surgical debridement is commonly required to achieve clinical resolution.
When osteomyelitis is inactive, the rating schedule may require consideration of remaining bone or joint impairment, depending on the applicable criteria.

Records to review: Infectious disease and orthopedic surgical notes; Wound culture reports and imaging studies (MRI, CT, bone scans); Documentation of antibiotic treatment courses and sinus tract drainage.

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.

VA forms and DBQs (from VA.gov)

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

The public DBQ shows the kinds of findings an examiner may record. A veteran may review it, or may share it with a private clinician, before a C&P exam. RatingScope does not tell any person what to submit.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

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Osteomyelitis is evaluated under the Arthritis assessment

RatingScope compares Osteomyelitis records using the published criteria in the Arthritis assessment. Compare your documented records against the criteria.

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

Compare records in the Arthritis assessment

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Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Osteomyelitis

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Osteomyelitis yet.

Educational Guides & Evidence Resources

In-depth analysis of DBQ forms, medical evidence thresholds, and rating schedules for Osteomyelitis.

How VA Rates Arthritis: DC 5002 Rheumatoid and DC 5003 Osteoarthritis Guide

Learn how the VA evaluates degenerative osteoarthritis (DC 5003) and rheumatoid arthritis (DC 5002) under 38 CFR 4.71a based on X-rays and flare-ups.

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VA Math & Combined Ratings

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

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Evidence Center

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

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