---
title: "DC 5000 - Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic"
diagnostic_code: "5000"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5000-osteomyelitis-acute-subacute-or-chronic"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T02:07:47.264838Z"
---

# DC 5000 - Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic

Rated under § 4.71a. Body system: Musculoskeletal System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Of the pelvis, vertebrae, or extending into major joints, or with multiple localization or with long history of intractability and debility, anemia, amyloid liver changes, or other continuous constitutional symptoms |
| 60% | Frequent episodes, with constitutional symptoms |
| 30% | With definite involucrum or sequestrum, with or without discharging sinus |
| 20% | With discharging sinus or other evidence of active infection within the past 5 years |
| 10% | Inactive, following repeated episodes, without evidence of active infection in past 5 years |

## Notes

- Note (1): A rating of 10 percent, as an exception to the amputation rule, is to be assigned in any case of active osteomyelitis where the amputation rating for the affected part is no percent. This 10 percent rating and the other partial ratings of 30 percent or less are to be combined with ratings for ankylosis, limited motion, nonunion or malunion, shortening, etc., subject, of course, to the amputation rule. The 60 percent rating, as it is based on constitutional symptoms, is not subject to the amputation rule. A rating for osteomyelitis will not be applied following cure by removal or radical resection of the affected bone.
- Note (2): The 20 percent rating on the basis of activity within the past 5 years is not assignable following the initial infection of active osteomyelitis with no subsequent reactivation. The prerequisite for this historical rating is an established recurrent osteomyelitis. To qualify for the 10 percent rating, 2 or more episodes following the initial infection are required. This 20 percent rating or the 10 percent rating, when applicable, will be assigned once only to cover disability at all sites of previously active infection with a future ending date in the case of the 20 percent rating.

# Osteomyelitis (Acute, Subacute, or Chronic) — VA Disability Rating

**Diagnostic Code 5000 · § 4.71a · Musculoskeletal System**

---

## What Is Osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. It can be acute, subacute, or chronic, and it may affect a single site or multiple locations in the body. In some cases the infection can involve areas such as the pelvis, vertebrae, or major joints, and long-standing cases may be accompanied by broader effects on the body.

Under the VA rating schedule, osteomyelitis is evaluated based on how active the infection is, how often episodes occur, the physical evidence of the infection, and whether it is associated with wider constitutional symptoms.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a rating percentage under Diagnostic Code 5000 based on the following levels:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **100%** | Of the pelvis, vertebrae, or extending into major joints, or with multiple localization, or with a long history of intractability and debility, anemia, amyloid liver changes, or other continuous constitutional symptoms |
| **60%** | Frequent episodes, with constitutional symptoms |
| **30%** | With definite involucrum or sequestrum, with or without discharging sinus |
| **20%** | With discharging sinus or other evidence of active infection within the past 5 years |
| **10%** | Inactive, following repeated episodes, without evidence of active infection in the past 5 years |

---

## What the VA Looks For

When rating osteomyelitis, the VA considers the location and extent of the infection, how frequently episodes occur, the presence of physical findings such as an involucrum, sequestrum, or discharging sinus, evidence of active infection within the past 5 years, and any associated constitutional symptoms.

**Key points from the rating rules:**

- **The 10% rating (special exception):** In any case of active osteomyelitis where the amputation rating for the affected part is no percent, a 10 percent rating is assigned as an exception to the amputation rule. This 10 percent rating — and other partial ratings of 30 percent or less — are combined with ratings for ankylosis, limited motion, nonunion or malunion, shortening, and similar conditions, subject to the amputation rule.

- **The 60% rating:** Because it is based on constitutional symptoms, the 60 percent rating is not subject to the amputation rule.

- **After a cure:** A rating for osteomyelitis will not be applied following a cure by removal or radical resection of the affected bone.

- **Recurrent osteomyelitis and the 20% rating:** The 20 percent rating based on activity within the past 5 years is not assignable following the initial infection of active osteomyelitis with no subsequent reactivation. The prerequisite for this historical rating is an established recurrent osteomyelitis.

- **Requirements for the 10% rating:** To qualify for the 10 percent rating, 2 or more episodes following the initial infection are required.

- **Assigned once for all sites:** The 20 percent rating or the 10 percent rating, when applicable, is assigned only once to cover disability at all sites of previously active infection — with a future ending date in the case of the 20 percent rating.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a