VASRD 5010 · Musculoskeletal System
Post-Traumatic Arthritis at 10% VA Disability Rating
The injured joint is painful or unstable but its limitation of motion is mild — the minimum compensable rating for that joint
10%: single veteran, no dependents
$180.42
$2,165.04/year · tax-free · effective December 1, 2025
VA Rating Criteria for 10%
DC 5010 has no criteria of its own — "Rate as limitation of motion, dislocation, or other specified instability under the affected joint." A 10 percent evaluation is assigned where the affected joint's own diagnostic code produces 10 percent, including under 38 CFR 4.59, which entitles an "actually painful, unstable, or malaligned" joint "due to healed injury" to "at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint" — 10 percent for most joints, though some joints' minimum compensable evaluation is higher. Where 2 or more joints are affected, "each rating shall be combined in accordance with § 4.25."
10% Pay by Household (2026)
Monthly compensation amounts for Post-Traumatic Arthritis rated at 10%. Dependent additions apply at 30% and above.
| Single (no dependents) | $180.42 |
| With spouse | $180.42 |
| With spouse + 1 child | $180.42 |
| With spouse + 2 children | $180.42 |
| Single + 1 child (no spouse) | $180.42 |
Common questions about 10% for Post-Traumatic Arthritis
- How much does a 10% VA rating for Post-Traumatic Arthritis pay?
- A single veteran rated 10% for Post-Traumatic Arthritis receives $180.42 per month ($2,165.04/year) under the 2026 VA rates, effective December 1, 2025. VA disability compensation is tax-free. With a spouse and one child, the monthly amount is $180.42.
- What does it take to get a 10% rating for Post-Traumatic Arthritis?
- DC 5010 has no criteria of its own — "Rate as limitation of motion, dislocation, or other specified instability under the affected joint." A 10 percent evaluation is assigned where the affected joint's own diagnostic code produces 10 percent, including under 38 CFR 4.59, which entitles an "actually painful, unstable,…
- Can a secondary condition raise my rating above 10%?
- Yes. If a condition like Joint Instability is service-connected as secondary to Post-Traumatic Arthritis, the VA combines both ratings using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25), which can produce a combined rating higher than 10% alone.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a — Schedule of ratings — musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5010)
- VA.gov — 2026 veteran disability compensation rates, effective December 1, 2025
Pay amounts on this page were last checked against VA.gov on August 16, 2026.
See all rating tiers and evidence guidance
Full VASRD criteria, best evidence, exam pitfalls, and secondary conditions for Post-Traumatic Arthritis are on the main condition page.
View full Post-Traumatic Arthritis guide
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