YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED

Other Specified Forms of Arthritis VA disability rating & claim guide

The VA rates Other Specified Forms of Arthritis under diagnostic code 5009, in 38 CFR § 4.71a (musculoskeletal system), and the schedule provides five evaluation levels for it: 100%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 10%.

DC 5009Musculoskeletal 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 Other Specified Forms of Arthritis

DC 5009 is the schedule's catch-all for inflammatory joint disease that has no code of its own — the schedule titles it "Other specified forms of arthropathy (excluding gout)" and its Note (1) lists "Charcot neuropathic, hypertrophic, crystalline, and other autoimmune arthropathies" as examples. Gout is expressly excluded: since February 7, 2021 gout is rated under DC 5017 on limitation of motion, not here.

GOUT IS NOT RATED UNDER THIS CODE. On February 7, 2021 VA retitled DC 5009 "Other specified forms of arthropathy (excluding gout)" and DC 5002 "Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout)", removing gout from the exacerbation-frequency framework entirely; gout is now rated under DC 5017 on limitation of motion of the affected joints. For everything DC 5009 does cover, Note (1) gives the scope: "Other specified forms of arthropathy include, but are not limited to, Charcot neuropathic, hypertrophic, crystalline, and other autoimmune arthropathies." DC 5009 prints no percentages of its own. Note (2) supplies them: "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." The DC 5002 percentages turn on constitutional health and the counted frequency of incapacitating exacerbations; the DC 5003 path turns on limitation of motion of the affected joint. DC 5002 Note (3) decides between them: 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."

Diagnostic code: 5009
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

Other Specified Forms of Arthritis VA rating criteria (DC 5009)

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

VA RATING100%Other Specified Forms of Arthritis

WHAT THIS LEVEL MEANS

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

Explore 100% criteria & monthly pay

Other Specified Forms of Arthritis: the criteria for each rating, quoted from 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5009
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 disease 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 once the disease is no longer active, 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 Other Specified Forms of Arthritis

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 Other Specified Forms of Arthritis claim

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0 of 5 gathered

A rheumatology evaluation naming the specific arthropathy, since DC 5009 is only used where no more specific diagnostic code fits.Inflammatory marker and serology results (ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP) establishing that the process is active rather than degenerative.A dated log of incapacitating exacerbations across the year — 3 or more supports 40 percent, 4 or more supports 60 percent.Weight and hemoglobin trends, which the 60 percent criterion turns on.Range-of-motion measurements for each affected joint, which is what the chronic-residual path under DC 5003 rates.

THE EXAM FORM

Which DBQ is used for Other Specified Forms of Arthritis?

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 Other Specified Forms of Arthritis 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 5009 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 Other Specified Forms of Arthritis 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 a full history of flare-ups, since exacerbation frequency and systemic impact are what the rating tiers are built around.
02
Get a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) filled out by a rheumatologist specifically, since correct classification under this code, rather than degenerative arthritis, depends on a specialist's evaluation.

C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips

01
The condition being misclassified under degenerative arthritis instead of this specific inflammatory category, which is rated differently.
02
Lack of documentation of systemic symptoms beyond joint pain.

Common filing mistakes2 tips

01
No documented pattern of flare-ups.
02
An improper arthritis classification in the medical record that doesn't match the actual inflammatory diagnosis.

When symptoms may first appear1 tips

01
This type of arthritis is often autoimmune in nature, sometimes triggered by a preceding infection.

THE BROADER PICTURE

Other Specified Forms of Arthritis by the numbers

Approval outlook: Moderate
Veterans service-connected: ~2,400 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 Other Specified Forms of Arthritis

Is Other Specified Forms of Arthritis a VA-rated disability?

Yes. The VA rates Other Specified Forms of Arthritis under VASRD diagnostic code 5009 (Musculoskeletal System). DC 5009 is the schedule's catch-all for inflammatory joint disease that has no code of its own — the schedule titles it "Other specified forms of arthropathy (excluding gout)" and its Note (1) lists "Charcot neuropathic, hypertrophic, crystalline, and other autoimmune arthropathies" as examples. Gout is expressly excluded: since February 7, 2021 gout is rated under DC 5017 on limitation of motion, not here.

What VA disability rating can I get for Other Specified Forms of Arthritis?

Possible VA ratings for Other Specified Forms of Arthritis 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 Other Specified Forms of Arthritis?

Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Other Specified Forms of Arthritis at around 40%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 2,400 veterans are service-connected for Other Specified Forms of Arthritis. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate.

What evidence helps prove Other Specified Forms of Arthritis for VA disability?

Strong evidence for a Other Specified Forms of Arthritis claim includes: A rheumatology evaluation naming the specific arthropathy, since DC 5009 is only used where no more specific diagnostic code fits; Inflammatory marker and serology results (ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP) establishing that the process is active rather than degenerative; A dated log of incapacitating exacerbations across the year — 3 or more supports 40 percent, 4 or more supports 60 percent; Weight and hemoglobin trends, which the 60 percent criterion turns on.

What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Other Specified Forms of Arthritis?

Common pitfalls when filing for Other Specified Forms of Arthritis: No documented pattern of flare-ups; An improper arthritis classification in the medical record that doesn't match the actual inflammatory diagnosis.

What conditions can be secondary to Other Specified Forms of Arthritis?

Conditions that can be service-connected as secondary to Other Specified Forms of Arthritis, when a medical opinion links them, include: Depression. A secondary condition gets its own rating, which VA combines with the veteran's other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25.

Official sources

38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5009)
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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