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VA diagnostic code directory

Browse VA Diagnostic Codes by Body Area

Start with the place that hurts or is not working normally. You can still browse every VA body system below.

Joints, bones and muscles (anywhere)

30 diagnostic codes

DC 5000Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can be short-term (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). The VA rates this condition from 10% to 100% based on how severe...

DC 5001Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive

The VA does not rate tuberculous involvement of bones or joints under a single ladder. During active disease, the rating is 100%. Once inactivity is attained...

DC 5002Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process

This rating covers multi-joint arthritis affecting 2 or more joints where there's active inflammation (swelling, pain, stiffness) going on right now. The VA...

DC 5003Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic

Degenerative arthritis (also called osteoarthritis) is the wear-and-tear breakdown of cartilage in your joints that happens over time, but this code specific...

DC 5004Arthritis, gonorrheal

Gonorrheal arthritis is joint inflammation caused by the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea that spreads to your joints. The VA doesn't have specific r...

DC 5005Arthritis, pneumococcic

Pneumococcic arthritis is joint inflammation caused by pneumococcal bacteria (the same bug that causes pneumonia). This is a fairly rare condition that typic...

DC 5006Arthritis, typhoid

Typhoid arthritis is joint inflammation caused by typhoid fever, a bacterial infection that was more common in earlier military service eras. This is a cross...

DC 5007Arthritis, syphilitic

Syphilitic arthritis is joint inflammation and damage caused by syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can affect joints if left untreated. This is...

DC 5008Arthritis, streptococcic

Streptococcic arthritis is joint inflammation caused by streptococcal bacteria (the same type that causes strep throat). This diagnostic code 5008 doesn't ha...

DC 5009Other specified forms of arthropathy (excluding gout)

Diagnostic Code 5009 covers specific types of arthritis that don't fit into the main arthritis categories, including conditions like Charcot neuropathic arth...

DC 5010Post-traumatic arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis is joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that develops after an injury to a joint - like from a car accident, fall, or combat injury....

DC 5011Decompression illness

Decompression illness, also known as 'the bends,' happens when nitrogen bubbles form in your blood and tissues after rapid changes in pressure - typically fr...

DC 5012Bones, neoplasm, malignant, primary or secondary

This diagnostic code covers malignant (cancerous) bone tumors, whether they started in the bone itself (primary) or spread to the bone from cancer elsewhere...

DC 5013Osteoporosis, residuals of

Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become weak and brittle, often breaking easily from minor falls or even daily activities. This diagnostic code 5...

DC 5014Osteomalacia, residuals of

Osteomalacia is a condition where your bones become soft due to lack of vitamin D or problems absorbing it, often called 'adult rickets.' The VA doesn't have...

DC 5015Bones, neoplasm, benign

Diagnostic Code 5015 covers benign bone tumors (non-cancerous growths in your bones). The VA doesn't provide specific rating percentages for this code becaus...

DC 5016Osteitis deformans

Osteitis deformans, also known as Paget's disease, is a bone disorder where your bones grow abnormally large, weak, and deformed. The VA doesn't have specifi...

DC 5017Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe pain and swelling in your joints, often starting in your big toe. The VA doesn't have specific rating...

DC 5019Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion your joints, causing pain and swelling. Diagnostic Code 5019 does not have its...

DC 5021Myositis

Myositis is inflammation of your muscles that causes pain, weakness, and sometimes swelling. Diagnostic Code 5021 does not have its own separate rating table...

DC 5023Heterotopic ossification

Heterotopic ossification is when bone forms in places where it shouldn't be - like in muscles, tendons, or other soft tissues around joints. This unusual bon...

DC 5024Tenosynovitis, tendinitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy

Diagnostic Code 5024 covers tendon conditions like tenosynovitis (inflamed tendon sheaths), tendinitis (inflamed tendons), and tendinosis (chronic tendon deg...

DC 5025Fibromyalgia (fibrositis, primary fibromyalgia syndrome)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread muscle pain, stiffness, and tender points throughout your body, often accompanied by fatigue and s...

DC 5244Traumatic paralysis, complete

Diagnostic Code 5244 covers complete traumatic paralysis (when an injury has caused total loss of movement). DC 5244 itself has no rating percentage; the VA...

DC 5326Muscle hernia, extensive. Without other injury to the muscle—10

A muscle hernia happens when muscle tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding connective tissue, creating a visible bulge or lump. The VA rates ex...

DC 5327Muscle, neoplasm of, malignant (excluding soft tissue sarcoma)—100

This diagnostic code covers malignant muscle tumors (cancer that started in muscle tissue), but it excludes soft tissue sarcomas which have their own rating...

DC 5328Muscle, neoplasm of, benign, postoperative

Diagnostic Code 5328 covers benign muscle tumors that have been surgically removed. The VA doesn't assign a specific disability rating for this code itself -...

DC 5329Sarcoma, soft tissue (of muscle, fat, or fibrous connective tissue)—100

Sarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that grows in soft tissues like muscle, fat, or connective tissue (the fibrous material that holds your body...

DC 5330Rhabdomyolysis, residuals of

Rhabdomyolysis is rapid muscle-tissue breakdown that releases proteins into the bloodstream and can damage the kidneys. Diagnostic Code 5330 has no rating pe...

DC 5331Compartment syndrome

Compartment syndrome happens when pressure builds up inside muscle compartments (sections of muscles enclosed by tough tissue), cutting off blood flow and po...

Browse every diagnostic code

Use the body map above, or open a body system below to browse every diagnostic code.

Musculoskeletal System (162 codes)
Muscle Injuries (31 codes)
Eye (45 codes)
Ear (12 codes)
Smell and Taste (2 codes)
Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies (31 codes)
Respiratory System (61 codes)
Cardiovascular System (33 codes)
Digestive System (51 codes)
Genitourinary System (40 codes)
Gynecological Conditions (20 codes)
Hemic and Lymphatic Systems (21 codes)
Skin (30 codes)
Endocrine System (19 codes)
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders (119 codes)
Mental Disorders (33 codes)
Dental and Oral Conditions (15 codes)

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.