VASRD 5016 · Musculoskeletal
Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) VA Disability Rating
Osteitis deformans — Paget's disease of bone — is a disorder of bone remodelling in which bone is broken down and rebuilt too fast, leaving it enlarged, structurally weak and prone to deformity, pain and fracture. It most often affects the pelvis, spine, skull, femur and tibia. The schedule lists it as DC 5016, which has no percentages of its own and is rated on limitation of motion of the affected parts.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Per joint, when motion is limited but not enough to rate on its own |
| 0% | Service-connected, but no compensable limitation of the affected parts |
How the VA Evaluates Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease)
DC 5016 has no percentage criteria of its own, and no percentage under it turns on an alkaline phosphatase level, on the extent of radiographic change, or on the degree of bone deformity. The whole of its rating rule is the note that closes its block: "Evaluate the diseases under diagnostic codes 5013 through 5024 as degenerative arthritis, based on limitation of motion of affected parts." That routes to DC 5003, which rates "on the basis of limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved (DC 5200 etc.)" — so the percentage is whatever the affected part's own code provides, and it differs part by part. There is no single ladder. Only where that limitation of motion is noncompensable does a fixed 10 percent apply, per major joint or group of minor joints, combined rather than added. DC 5003's own X-ray-based 20 and 10 percent ratings are expressly unavailable here: "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." Paget's disease frequently produces complications that are rated separately under their own codes rather than under DC 5016 — a pathological fracture under the code for that bone, spinal stenosis or nerve-root compression under the spine and neurological codes, hearing loss from skull involvement under 38 CFR 4.85-4.87, and the rare malignant transformation to osteosarcoma under DC 5012. 38 CFR 4.59 entitles an actually painful joint to "at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint". Because the evaluation is assigned on the affected part, a decision letter normally shows a hyphenated code such as 5016-5252 rather than a bare 5016 (38 CFR 4.27).
Approval outlook
Moderate – due to rare nature but serious symptoms.
Veterans service-connected
~180 veterans
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
Email me this Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) guide
Get the Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) rating criteria, evidence checklist, and strategy tips delivered to your inbox so you can review them anytime.
Best Evidence to Gather
- •Range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for each part the disease has affected — this is the only thing DC 5016 rates, and most Paget's claims are built entirely on imaging and labs instead.
- •X-ray, bone scan or MRI showing the characteristic remodelling and its distribution, plus elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, which establish the diagnosis even though they do not set the percentage.
- •Documentation of every complication separately — pathological fracture, spinal stenosis or nerve compression, hearing loss from skull involvement — since each is rated under its own diagnostic code and combined.
- •Examination findings recording objective painful motion, deformity or bowing of a weight-bearing bone, which support both the per-joint 10 percent and the 38 CFR 4.59 minimum.
- •Treatment records for bisphosphonate therapy and any corrective surgery.
Strategy Tips
- •Include lab results, imaging, and a symptom history together, since this combination is what establishes both the diagnosis and its current severity.
- •Note any neurological or fracture complications, since these push the rating toward the higher tiers.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Failure to distinguish the condition from ordinary arthritis.
- •Omitting systemic symptoms that would support a higher severity tier.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Not documenting any fracture or deformity history.
- •No lab or imaging data to confirm the diagnosis.
Onset Patterns
- •Paget's disease usually appears after age 40 and progresses slowly, often involving the pelvis, spine, or skull.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Hearing Loss
Paget’s in skull bones can compress auditory nerves
Fractures
Deformed bones are weaker and prone to breaking
Common questions about Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease)
- Is Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) under VASRD diagnostic code 5016 (Musculoskeletal). Osteitis deformans — Paget's disease of bone — is a disorder of bone remodelling in which bone is broken down and rebuilt too fast, leaving it enlarged, structurally weak and prone to deformity, pain and fracture…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease)?
- Possible VA ratings for Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) are 10%, 0%. Examples: 10%: Per joint, when motion is limited but not enough to rate on its own; 0%: Service-connected, but no compensable limitation of the affected parts.
- What evidence helps prove Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) claim includes: Range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for each part the disease has affected — this is the only thing DC 5016 rates, and most Paget's claims are built entirely on imaging and labs instead.; X-ray, bone scan or MRI showing the characteristic…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease): Not documenting any fracture or deformity history.; No lab or imaging data to confirm the diagnosis..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) include: Hearing Loss, Fractures. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a — Schedule of ratings — musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5016)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
Estimate your combined rating
See how Osteitis Deformans (Paget's Disease) combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
Open the calculator
VA Calc: Disability Pay
Combine your ratings & see monthly pay on your iPhone · Works offline