YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED

Arthritis, Gonococcal VA disability rating & claim guide

The VA rates Arthritis, Gonococcal under diagnostic code 5004, in 38 CFR § 4.71a (musculoskeletal system), and the schedule provides five evaluation levels for it: 100%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 10%.

DC 5004Musculoskeletal SystemData last updated September 23, 2026

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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD

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01Understand the rating 02Know what to gather 03Plan your preparation

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THE ESSENTIALS

How the VA rates Arthritis, Gonococcal

Gonococcal arthritis — the schedule calls it "Arthritis, gonorrheal" — is joint inflammation caused by disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, most often striking a single large joint with severe pain, swelling and fever. VA rates it under DC 5004, which has no percentage criteria of its own: the active infection is rated under DC 5002 and anything left behind afterwards is rated under DC 5003.

DC 5004 ("Arthritis, gonorrheal") prints no percentages. Its rating rule is DC 5009 Note (2): "With the types of arthritis, diagnostic codes 5004 through 5009, rate the acute phase under diagnostic code 5002; rate any chronic residuals under diagnostic code 5003." So while the infection is an active process the four DC 5002 percentages apply, and they turn on constitutional health and the counted frequency of incapacitating exacerbations. Once it is no longer active, the residual joint damage is rated under DC 5003 — on limitation of motion under the affected joint's own diagnostic code, or at 10 percent per major joint or minor joint group where that limitation of motion is objectively confirmed but noncompensable. DC 5002 Note (3) decides between the two paths: the active-process rating "will not be combined with the residual ratings for limitation of motion, ankylosis, or diagnostic code 5003. Instead, assign the higher evaluation." Note that DC 5003's Note (2) exclusion does not reach DC 5004 — that exclusion covers only DCs 5013 to 5024 — so the X-ray-based 20 and 10 percent rows remain available here for chronic residuals with no limitation of motion.

Diagnostic code: 5004
Rating schedule: 38 CFR § 4.71a
Schedule levels: 100%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 10%

How does the VA choose a rating level?

Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.

This code prints no 0% row. Under 38 CFR § 4.31, a 0% evaluation is assigned where the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.

EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES

Arthritis, Gonococcal VA rating criteria (DC 5004)

Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.

VA RATING100%Arthritis, Gonococcal

WHAT THIS LEVEL MEANS

Active infection with whole-body effects that leaves you totally incapacitated

Explore 100% criteria & monthly pay

Arthritis, Gonococcal: the criteria for each rating, quoted from 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5004
Rating	38 CFR criteria (quoted)	In plain English (Vetrify’s summary)	Monthly pay, 2026 (single veteran)
100%	DC 5002“With constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating”	Active infection with whole-body effects that leaves you totally incapacitated	$3,938.58
60%	DC 5002“Less than criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia productive of severe impairment of health or severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods”	Weight loss and anemia, or severe flares at least four times a year	$1,435.02
40%	DC 5002“Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year”	Definite health impairment on exam, or three or more incapacitating flares a year	$795.84
20%	DC 5002“One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis” DC 5003“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: With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations”	One or two flares a year with the diagnosis already established	$356.66
10%	DC 5003“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: With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups”	Per joint after the infection settles, when motion is limited but not enough to rate on its own	$180.42

VA pays on the combined rating, not per condition: each amount is what a veteran with no dependents receives when that percentage is the combined rating, after all separate ratings are combined under 38 CFR 4.25.

These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.

IN THE REGULATION’S OWN WORDS

What 38 CFR also says about Arthritis, Gonococcal

The notes 38 CFR Part 4 prints with these criteria, quoted. They govern how the evaluation is made without being a rating level themselves.

“Note (1): Examples of conditions rated using this diagnostic code include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and spondyloarthropathies.”DC 5002
“Note (2): For chronic residuals, rate under diagnostic code 5003.”DC 5002
“Note (3): The ratings for the active process will not be combined with the residual ratings for limitation of motion, ankylosis, or diagnostic code 5003. Instead, assign the higher evaluation.”DC 5002
“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.”DC 5003
“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.”DC 5003

BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME

Evidence for your Arthritis, Gonococcal claim

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0 of 4 gathered

Service or post-service records documenting the disseminated gonococcal infection and the joint it settled in — culture, synovial fluid analysis, or the treating clinician's diagnosis.Joint examination findings from the active phase recording effusion, swelling and fever, which is what DC 5002's criteria are written around.A dated record of incapacitating exacerbations, since the 40 and 60 percent criteria are counted thresholds (3 or more, and 4 or more, times a year).Range-of-motion measurements for the affected joint after the infection resolved — chronic residuals are rated on limitation of motion under DC 5003, not on infection history.

THE EXAM FORM

Which DBQ is used for Arthritis, Gonococcal?

VA publishes its questionnaires by body system; find the one for this condition on VA's list.

Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.

THE EVERYDAY PICTURE

What the Arthritis, Gonococcal examination has to record

The criteria above are read off an examination, and three sections of Part 4 govern what that examination has to contain. None of them is a diagnostic code, so none of them appears in the 5004 table, and all three apply to it. 38 CFR § 4.40: “Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled.”

38 CFR § 4.45 lists what an examination of a joint is directed to consider:

Less movement than normal (due to ankylosis, limitation or blocking, adhesions, tendon-tie-up, contracted scars, etc.).
More movement than normal (from flail joint, resections, nonunion of fracture, relaxation of ligaments, etc.).
Weakened movement (due to muscle injury, disease or injury of peripheral nerves, divided or lengthened tendons, etc.).
Excess fatigability.
Incoordination, impaired ability to execute skilled movements smoothly.
Pain on movement, swelling, deformity or atrophy of disuse.

38 CFR § 4.59: “It is the intention to recognize actually painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint.” So a joint that is painful on use is not a finding of nothing, even where the measured motion is close to normal.

The same section says how the joint is to be tested: “The joints involved should be tested for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing and, if possible, with the range of the opposite undamaged joint.” An examination that records one measurement, taken once, sitting down, has not done what the section asks, and that is worth reading the exam report for.

SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.

Preparing your Arthritis, Gonococcal claim

Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.

Practical tips for your claim2 tips

01
Include an infectious disease report confirming the original gonorrhea infection, since this is what distinguishes this diagnosis from other arthritis types.
02
Log each flare-up with dates, and explain the impact on mobility and work, since exacerbation frequency and functional impact both factor into the rating.

C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips

01
The condition being mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis rather than correctly identified as infection-related.
02
No infection records to confirm the underlying cause.

Common filing mistakes2 tips

01
No infection proof to establish the diagnosis.
02
No ongoing joint treatment documented to show the condition's continuing impact.

When symptoms may first appear1 tips

01
This condition typically occurs shortly after the initial gonorrhea infection and can become a chronic joint problem if not fully treated.

THE BROADER PICTURE

Arthritis, Gonococcal by the numbers

Approval outlook: Low unless clearly service-connected.
Veterans service-connected: ~950 veterans
Typical rating awarded: ~40%

Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule, not official VA statistics.

LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP

Common questions about Arthritis, Gonococcal

Is Arthritis, Gonococcal a VA-rated disability?

Yes. The VA rates Arthritis, Gonococcal under VASRD diagnostic code 5004 (Musculoskeletal System). Gonococcal arthritis — the schedule calls it "Arthritis, gonorrheal" — is joint inflammation caused by disseminated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, most often striking a single large joint with severe pain, swelling and fever. VA rates it under DC 5004, which has no percentage criteria of its own: the active infection is rated under DC 5002 and anything left behind afterwards is rated under DC 5003.

What VA disability rating can I get for Arthritis, Gonococcal?

Possible VA ratings for Arthritis, Gonococcal are 100%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 10%, 0%. The 0% level comes from 38 CFR 4.31, which assigns it wherever no compensable level is met. Examples: 100%: Acute phase, rated under DC 5002: "With constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating."; 60%: Acute phase, rated under DC 5002: "Less than criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia productive of severe impairment of health or severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods."; 40%: Acute phase, rated under DC 5002: "Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year.".

What's the typical VA rating awarded for Arthritis, Gonococcal?

Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Arthritis, Gonococcal at around 40%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 950 veterans are service-connected for Arthritis, Gonococcal. Estimated approval outlook: Low unless clearly service-connected.

What evidence helps prove Arthritis, Gonococcal for VA disability?

Strong evidence for a Arthritis, Gonococcal claim includes: Service or post-service records documenting the disseminated gonococcal infection and the joint it settled in — culture, synovial fluid analysis, or the treating clinician's diagnosis; Joint examination findings from the active phase recording effusion, swelling and fever, which is what DC 5002's criteria are written around; A dated record of incapacitating exacerbations, since the 40 and 60 percent criteria are counted thresholds (3 or more, and 4 or more, times a year); Range-of-motion measurements for the affected joint after the infection resolved — chronic residuals are rated on limitation of motion under DC 5003, not on infection history.

What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Arthritis, Gonococcal?

Common pitfalls when filing for Arthritis, Gonococcal: No infection proof to establish the diagnosis; No ongoing joint treatment documented to show the condition's continuing impact.

Official sources

38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5004)
38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
38 CFR § 4.31, zero percent evaluations
38 CFR § 4.40, functional loss
38 CFR § 4.45, the joints
38 CFR § 4.59, painful motion

Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.

How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.

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PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER

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