VASRD 5020 · Infectious Diseases / Musculoskeletal

Osteomyelitis VA Disability Rating

A serious bone infection that can damage tissue and lead to disability.

VA Rating Tiers

RatingCriteria
100%Severe infection in bones affecting your whole body.
60%Chronic bone infection that flares up and needs treatment.
30%Ongoing bone infection controlled with meds.
10%Past bone infection with mild or no symptoms.

How the VA Evaluates Osteomyelitis

Diagnosis requires imaging (MRI/bone scan), lab tests (WBC, ESR, CRP), and biopsy or culture of infected site.

Approval rate

Moderate – with hospital records and imaging.

Annual service-connected

900 veterans

Average rating

30%

Best Evidence to Gather

  • •MRI or bone scan confirming infection
  • •Hospital records showing treatment or surgery
  • •Bone biopsy or positive culture

Strategy Tips

  • •Submit surgical records, cultures, and scans
  • •Explain how infection affects your mobility or health

C&P Exam Pitfalls

  • •Missing imaging confirmation
  • •Incomplete infection history

Common Filing Mistakes

  • •Not linking infection to service-connected fracture
  • •Omitting surgical history or wound care

Onset Patterns

  • •Often begins after open fracture, surgery, or wound infection
  • •Can become chronic even after initial healing

Secondary Conditions

Conditions commonly linked to Osteomyelitis. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.

  • Sepsis

    If untreated, bone infection can spread to bloodstream

  • Amputation

    Severe or untreatable infection may require limb removal

Common questions about Osteomyelitis

Is Osteomyelitis a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Osteomyelitis under VASRD diagnostic code 5020 (Infectious Diseases / Musculoskeletal). A serious bone infection that can damage tissue and lead to disability.
What VA disability rating can I get for Osteomyelitis?
Possible VA ratings for Osteomyelitis are 100%, 60%, 30%, 10%. Examples: 100% — Severe infection in bones affecting your whole body.; 60% — Chronic bone infection that flares up and needs treatment.; 30% — Ongoing bone infection controlled with meds..
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Osteomyelitis?
The average awarded rating for Osteomyelitis is 30%. Roughly 900 veterans are service-connected for Osteomyelitis each year. Typical approval likelihood: Moderate – with hospital records and imaging..
What evidence helps prove Osteomyelitis for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Osteomyelitis claim includes: MRI or bone scan confirming infection; Hospital records showing treatment or surgery; Bone biopsy or positive culture.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Osteomyelitis?
Common pitfalls when filing for Osteomyelitis: Not linking infection to service-connected fracture; Omitting surgical history or wound care.
Is Osteomyelitis a presumptive condition for VA benefits?
Yes — Osteomyelitis is recognized as a presumptive condition. Osteomyelitis is often presumed when arising from service-connected wounds
What conditions are commonly secondary to Osteomyelitis?
Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Osteomyelitis include: Sepsis, Amputation. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.

Estimate your combined rating

See how Osteomyelitis combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.

Open the calculator