---
title: "DC 5012 - Bones, neoplasm, malignant, primary or secondary"
diagnostic_code: "5012"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5012-bones-neoplasm-malignant-primary-or-secondary"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T02:11:33.074156Z"
---

# DC 5012 - Bones, neoplasm, malignant, primary or secondary

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Bones, neoplasm, malignant, primary or secondary |

## Notes

- Note: The 100 percent rating will be continued for 1 year following the cessation of surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other prescribed therapeutic procedure. If there has been no local recurrence or metastases, rate based on residuals.

# Malignant Bone Cancer (Neoplasm) — VA Disability Rating

**Diagnostic Code 5012 · Musculoskeletal System · 38 CFR § 4.71a**

## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code 5012 covers **malignant neoplasms (cancers) of the bones**, whether **primary** (originating in the bone) or **secondary** (spread from cancer elsewhere in the body). Because this falls under the Musculoskeletal System in § 4.71a, it is rated according to the schedule set out for bone-related conditions.

## Available Rating Level

There is one scheduled rating level for this condition:

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| **100%** | Bones, neoplasm, malignant, primary or secondary |

An active malignant bone neoplasm is rated at **100 percent**.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating this condition, the VA applies the following rule established in the schedule:

> **Note:** The 100 percent rating will be continued for **1 year following the cessation** of surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other prescribed therapeutic procedure. If there has been **no local recurrence or metastases**, the condition is then rated **based on residuals**.

In plain terms, this means:

- The **100% rating continues for one year** after treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other prescribed therapy) has stopped.
- After that year, if there has been **no local recurrence and no metastases**, the VA re-evaluates the condition and rates it based on any **residuals** — the lasting effects that remain after treatment.

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 5012 and is provided for general reference only.*

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