VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Arthritis (DJD)
10% per major joint with painful motion; 20% with multiple joint involvement and exacerbations.
Degenerative arthritis (DC 5003) is rated based on limitation of motion of the affected joint under the appropriate joint-specific DC. When limitation of motion is non-compensable, a 10% rating applies for each major joint or group of minor joints with X-ray-confirmed arthritis and objectively painful motion. Always file the underlying joint condition (knee, lumbar, etc.) too — VA picks whichever rates higher.
Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | X-ray evidence of involvement of 2+ major joints or 2+ minor joint groups (single joint with painful motion also gets 10% per joint). |
| 20% | $356.66 | X-ray evidence of involvement of 2+ major joints or 2+ minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 10%: $180.42/mo · $2,165/year, tax-free
- →At 20%: $356.66/mo · $4,280/year, tax-free
How to get rated for degenerative arthritis (djd)
- X-ray report confirming degenerative changes — required for DC 5003.
- Document painful motion objectively (swelling, spasm, satisfactory evidence of painful motion).
- Always file the joint-specific DC too (5260 for knee flexion, 5237 for lumbar strain) — VA picks whichever is higher.
- Combined rating math: arthritis under 5003 is COMBINED, not added — meaning multiple joint ratings stack but with diminishing returns.
Common secondary conditions
- +Joint instability
- +Radiculopathy (lumbar arthritis)
- +Depression / chronic pain
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- In-service joint injury (training, parachuting, lifting, MVA) is the foundation for DJD nexus.
- Arthritis is a chronic disease under 38 CFR § 3.309(a) — if manifest to 10% within one year of separation, presumed service-connected.
Frequently asked
I have arthritis in my knees, hips, AND lumbar spine. How is that rated?
Each joint with limitation of motion is rated under its own DC (5260 for knee, 5251 for hip, 5237 for lumbar). DC 5003 only applies when those individual ratings are 0% — then it adds a baseline 10% per affected joint group.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.