VA Diagnostic Code 5009Other specified forms of arthropathy (excluding gout)
Rated under § 4.71a. No rating levels have been extracted for this code yet — use the official source.
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Summary
With the types of arthritis, diagnostic codes 5004 through 5009, rate the acute phase under diagnostic code 5002; rate any chronic residuals under diagnostic code 5003.
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This code has no itemised criteria in our copy of the schedule. Use the official source link for the controlling text.
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): Other specified forms of arthropathy include, but are not limited to, Charcot neuropathic, hypertrophic, crystalline, and other autoimmune arthropathies.
- Note (2): With the types of arthritis, diagnostic codes 5004 through 5009, rate the acute phase under diagnostic code 5002; rate any chronic residuals under diagnostic code 5003.
VA Disability Rating: Other Specified Forms of Arthropathy (Diagnostic Code 5009)
Body System: Musculoskeletal System Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a — Diagnostic Code 5009
What This Condition Covers
"Other specified forms of arthropathy" is a category the VA uses under Diagnostic Code 5009 for certain types of joint disease that don't fall under a more specific code. According to the VA's own notes, this category includes—but is not limited to:
- Charcot neuropathic arthropathy
- Hypertrophic arthropathy
- Crystalline arthropathy
- Other autoimmune arthropathies
Notably, gout is excluded from this diagnostic code.
How the VA Rates It
Diagnostic Code 5009 does not have its own standalone rating percentages. Instead, the VA uses a two-phase approach that borrows from other diagnostic codes:
1The Acute Phase
During an active, acute phase of the condition, the VA rates it under Diagnostic Code 5002.
2Chronic Residuals
Any lasting effects that remain after the acute phase—the chronic residuals—are rated under Diagnostic Code 5003.
This same framework applies across the related arthritis diagnostic codes 5004 through 5009.
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating a claim under Diagnostic Code 5009, the VA considers:
- Whether the condition qualifies as one of the specified forms of arthropathy (such as Charcot neuropathic, hypertrophic, crystalline, or autoimmune types).
- Whether the condition is in an acute phase, which directs the evaluation to Diagnostic Code 5002.
- Whether there are chronic residuals remaining, which directs the evaluation to Diagnostic Code 5003.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5009) and is provided for general educational purposes only.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5009. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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