Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 5024
Tenosynovitis Secondary to Thumb, Limitation of Motion
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 Thumb, Limitation of Motion.
Why Tenosynovitis Is Linked to Thumb, Limitation of Motion
Stiff joints often overcompensate and strain surrounding tissues.
Primary condition · VASRD 5228
Thumb, Limitation of Motion
DC 5228 rates a thumb that still moves but cannot reach the fingers. The whole evaluation is one measurement: the gap left between the thumb pad and the fingers when the veteran tries to touch them. More than two inches is 20 percent, one to two inches is 10 percent, and less than an inch is 0.
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 Thumb, Limitation of Motion — 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% Thumb, Limitation of Motion + 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 Thumb, Limitation of Motion
- Can Tenosynovitis be service-connected as secondary to Thumb, Limitation of Motion?
- 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. Stiff joints often overcompensate and strain surrounding tissues. You'll need a current Tenosynovitis diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your serv…
- 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 Thumb, Limitation of Motion.
- 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 Thumb, Limitation of Motion 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 overal…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Tenosynovitis as secondary to Thumb, Limitation of Motion?
- 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 Thumb, Limitation of Motion guide
Secondary condition
Full Tenosynovitis guide
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