---
title: "DC 5296 - Skull, loss of part of, both inner and outer tables"
diagnostic_code: "5296"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5296-skull-loss-of-part-of-both-inner-and-outer-tables"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T02:56:24.109120Z"
---

# DC 5296 - Skull, loss of part of, both inner and outer tables

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 80% | With brain hernia |
| 50% | Without brain hernia: Area larger than size of a 50-cent piece or 1.140 in 2 (7.355 cm 2) |
| 30% | Without brain hernia: Area intermediate |
| 10% | Without brain hernia: Area smaller than the size of a 25-cent piece or 0.716 in 2 (4.619 cm 2) |

## Notes

- Note: Rate separately for intracranial complications.

# Skull — Loss of Part of Both Inner and Outer Tables (Diagnostic Code 5296)

**VA Disability Rating Schedule · § 4.71a · Musculoskeletal System**

## What This Condition Involves

The skull is made up of layers of bone, including an inner table and an outer table. Diagnostic Code 5296 addresses the loss of part of the skull where **both** the inner and outer tables are affected.

Under the VA rating schedule, this condition is evaluated based on two main factors:

- **Whether a brain hernia is present**, and
- **The size of the affected area** of skull loss (when no brain hernia is present).

## Available Rating Levels

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **80%** | With brain hernia |
| **50%** | Without brain hernia — area larger than the size of a 50-cent piece, or 1.140 in² (7.355 cm²) |
| **30%** | Without brain hernia — area of intermediate size |
| **10%** | Without brain hernia — area smaller than the size of a 25-cent piece, or 0.716 in² (4.619 cm²) |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating this condition, the VA considers:

- **The presence or absence of a brain hernia.** A brain hernia corresponds to the highest listed rating of 80%.
- **The measured size of the affected area** when no brain hernia is present. The rating steps down from 50% to 10% depending on whether the area is larger than a 50-cent piece, of intermediate size, or smaller than a 25-cent piece, using the specific measurements listed above.

## Important Note

- **Intracranial complications are rated separately.** According to the rating schedule, any intracranial complications associated with this condition are evaluated on their own, in addition to the rating assigned under Diagnostic Code 5296.

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule under § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5296. Individual evaluations depend on the specific facts and medical evidence in each case.*

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