VA Diagnostic Code 5011Decompression illness
Rated under § 4.71a. No rating levels have been extracted for this code yet — use the official source.
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Summary
Rate manifestations under the appropriate diagnostic code within the affected body system, such as arthritis for musculoskeletal residuals; auditory system for vestibular residuals; respiratory system for pulmonary barotrauma residuals; and neurologic system for cerebrovascular accident residuals.
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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.
Decompression Illness (VA Diagnostic Code 5011)
Understanding How the VA Rates Decompression Illness
Decompression illness is listed under Diagnostic Code 5011 in the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities, found at 38 CFR § 4.71a, within the Musculoskeletal System.
What This Condition Involves
Decompression illness can affect more than one part of the body. Because of this, the VA does not assign a single fixed rating for the condition itself. Instead, it evaluates the lasting effects—known as residuals—based on which body system each effect impacts.
How the VA Rates It
Rather than applying one general formula, the VA rates the manifestations of decompression illness under the diagnostic code that matches the affected body system. According to the rating criteria, this includes:
- Musculoskeletal residuals — rated under the criteria for conditions such as arthritis.
- Vestibular residuals — rated under the auditory system.
- Pulmonary barotrauma residuals — rated under the respiratory system.
- Cerebrovascular accident residuals — rated under the neurologic system.
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating decompression illness, the VA focuses on identifying the specific residual effects and determining which body system each affects. Each residual is then assessed using the appropriate diagnostic code for that system, so the rating reflects the actual lasting impact of the condition.
This overview is based on the VA rating schedule entry for Diagnostic Code 5011 (§ 4.71a). It is provided for general informational purposes.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5011. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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