Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5024
Tenosynovitis Secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist
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 Wrist.
Why Tenosynovitis Is Linked to Ankylosis of the Wrist
Compensation in nearby tendons from reduced wrist movement
Primary condition · VASRD 5214
Ankylosis of the Wrist
Ankylosis of the wrist is a wrist fixed in one position that no longer moves. DC 5214 rates it by the position the wrist is fused in and by which hand it is - the schedule prints a major (dominant) and a minor (non-dominant) column, and the dominant wrist rates one step higher at every position. A wrist fixed in an extremely unfavorable position is not rated under this code at all: its note sends that case to DC 5125, loss of use of the hand.
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 Wrist — 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
40% Ankylosis of the Wrist + 10% Tenosynovitis = 46%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 40% and 10% combine to 46%, not 50%. 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 Wrist
- Can Tenosynovitis be service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist?
- 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. Compensation in nearby tendons from reduced wrist movement You'll need a current Tenosynovitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-con…
- 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 Wrist.
- 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 40% rating for Ankylosis of the Wrist combined with a 10% rating for Tenosynovitis (example figures) produces a combined rating of 46%, not 50%. Approving Tenosynovitis as secondary still typically raises your overall com…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Tenosynovitis as secondary to Ankylosis of the Wrist?
- 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 Wrist guide
Secondary condition
Full Tenosynovitis guide
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