VASRD 5014 · Musculoskeletal System
Osteomalacia VA Disability Rating
Osteomalacia is softening of the bones from defective mineralization, usually due to vitamin D deficiency, causing bone pain, proximal muscle weakness and, when advanced, fractures. The schedule titles DC 5014 "Osteomalacia, residuals of" and rates those residuals 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 joint limitation |
How the VA Evaluates Osteomalacia
DC 5014 has no percentage criteria of its own. 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 joint's own code provides, and it differs joint by joint. There is no single ladder. Only where that joint's limitation of motion is noncompensable does a fixed 10 percent apply, per joint, 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." 38 CFR 4.45(f) defines which joints count — shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle are major joints, and specified finger, toe and vertebral groups are groups of minor joints. 38 CFR 4.59 supplies a floor: actually painful, unstable or malaligned joints are "entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint." Because the evaluation is assigned on the residual condition, a decision letter normally shows a hyphenated code such as 5014-5271 rather than a bare 5014 (38 CFR 4.27).
Approval outlook
Low to Moderate
Veterans service-connected
~700 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •A bone scan showing characteristic changes.
- •Vitamin D lab levels confirming the deficiency.
- •An orthopedic assessment of joint involvement.
- •Vitamin D and calcium blood levels.
- •A bone scan or X-ray showing Looser's zones (a characteristic finding).
- •Muscle strength and gait evaluation.
Strategy Tips
- •Have range of motion measured for each joint or region the disease affects. That measurement, not the vitamin D level, is what the code rates.
- •Document proximal muscle weakness and its functional effect. 38 CFR 4.40 treats weakness as "as important as limitation of motion", and a part that becomes painful on use is regarded as seriously disabled.
- •Keep lab work and imaging (including Looser's zones on X-ray) in the file to establish the diagnosis, while understanding they do not set the percentage.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •The condition being recorded as osteoporosis, which is a different diagnostic code (DC 5013) with a different mechanism.
- •An examiner confirming the metabolic diagnosis but not measuring the joint limitation the rating depends on.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Expecting vitamin D or calcium levels to determine the rating. No lab value appears in DC 5014's criteria — the code has none of its own.
- •Submitting X-ray findings alone. DC 5003 Note (2) expressly bars the X-ray-based 20 and 10 percent ratings for conditions under DCs 5013 to 5024.
- •Describing only pain without establishing which joints are limited and by how much.
Onset Patterns
- •Osteomalacia typically develops gradually and can worsen with age if the underlying vitamin D deficiency isn't corrected.
- •Osteomalacia develops gradually, with bone pain and weakness that can progress to fractures if left untreated.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Osteomalacia. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common questions about Osteomalacia
- Is Osteomalacia a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Osteomalacia under VASRD diagnostic code 5014 (Musculoskeletal System). Osteomalacia is softening of the bones from defective mineralization, usually due to vitamin D deficiency, causing bone pain, proximal muscle weakness and, when advanced, fractures. The schedule titles DC 5014 "Osteomalacia, resi…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Osteomalacia?
- Possible VA ratings for Osteomalacia 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 joint limitation.
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Osteomalacia?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Osteomalacia at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 700 veterans are service-connected for Osteomalacia. Estimated approval outlook: Low to Moderate.
- What evidence helps prove Osteomalacia for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Osteomalacia claim includes: A bone scan showing characteristic changes.; Vitamin D lab levels confirming the deficiency.; An orthopedic assessment of joint involvement.; Vitamin D and calcium blood levels..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Osteomalacia?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Osteomalacia: Expecting vitamin D or calcium levels to determine the rating. No lab value appears in DC 5014's criteria — the code has none of its own.; Submitting X-ray findings alone. DC 5003 Note (2) expressly bars the X-ray-based 20 and 10 percent ratings for conditions under DCs 50…
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Osteomalacia?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Osteomalacia include: Fractures, Chronic pain, Fatigue. 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 5014)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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