Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5024
Tenosynovitis Secondary to Ankylosis of the Index Finger
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Tenosynovitis when it develops after Ankylosis of the Index Finger.
Why Tenosynovitis Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Index Finger
Overcompensation by other fingers
Primary condition · VASRD 5225
Ankylosis of the Index Finger
The index finger is fixed in one position and no longer bends. DC 5225 is a single 10 percent evaluation: the schedule does not separate favorable from unfavorable ankylosis for this digit, and it does not separate the dominant hand from the non-dominant one.
Secondary condition · VASRD 5024
Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath that surrounds a tendon, causing pain, swelling and catching on movement. Since February 7, 2021 DC 5024 has covered a wider family — the schedule titles it "Tenosynovitis, tendinitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy", so rotator cuff tendinitis, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, lateral epicondylitis, Achilles tendinopathy and trigger finger are all rated here. The code has no percentages of its own: it is rated as degenerative arthritis, on limitation of motion of the affected part.
Tenosynovitis VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Tenosynovitis the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Ankylosis of the Index Finger — severity of Tenosynovitis itself determines the percentage.
| 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 |
Example combined rating
10% Ankylosis of the Index Finger + 10% Tenosynovitis = 19%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 10% combine to 19%, not 20%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
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Evidence for a Tenosynovitis Secondary Claim
- •Goniometer range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for the joint the affected tendon crosses — this is the only thing DC 5024 rates.
- •Examination findings recording objective painful motion, localized swelling along the tendon, or crepitus, which is the confirmation DC 5003 requires before the per-joint 10 percent can be assigned.
- •Ultrasound or MRI showing tendon sheath thickening, tendinosis or a partial tear, plus injection, splinting, physical therapy or release-surgery records.
- •Documentation of functional loss on repeated use over time, which 38 CFR 4.40 treats as "as important as limitation of motion".
- •A separate measurement for every tendon site involved, since each major joint or minor joint group with noncompensable limitation of motion carries its own 10 percent, combined rather than added.
Common questions about Tenosynovitis secondary to Ankylosis of the Index Finger
- Can Tenosynovitis be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Index Finger?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Overcompensation by other fingers You'll need a current Tenosynovitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Ankylosis of the I…
- What VA rating can I get for Tenosynovitis as a secondary condition?
- Tenosynovitis is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 5024 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 10%, 0%. The rating depends on the severity of Tenosynovitis itself, not on the severity of Ankylosis of the Index Finger.
- How does a secondary Tenosynovitis claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 10% rating for Ankylosis of the Index Finger combined with a 10% rating for Tenosynovitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 19%, not 20%. Approving Tenosynovitis as secondary still typically raises your over…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Tenosynovitis as secondary to Ankylosis of the Index Finger?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Tenosynovitis diagnosis includes: Goniometer range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for the joint the affected tendon crosses — this is the only thing DC 5024 rates.; Examination findings recording objective painful motion, localized swelling along the tendon, or crepitus, which i…
Primary condition
Full Ankylosis of the Index Finger guide
Secondary condition
Full Tenosynovitis guide
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