VA Disability Rating for Gout (DC 5017)

DC 5017 covers gout, arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in the joints. The current regulation rates it as degenerative arthritis under DC 5003, on the limitation of motion of each affected joint (38 CFR 4.71a, note to DCs 5013 through 5024): a major joint (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee or ankle) or a group of minor joints whose limited motion is not enough for a compensable rating under its own code gets 10% under DC 5003 for each such joint or group, combined rather than added, when the limitation is objectively confirmed by swelling, muscle spasm or painful motion. An older version of the schedule rated gout under the rheumatoid arthritis criteria (DC 5002); the current schedule does not.