What happens during a C&P exam for Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints)?

Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints) (DC 5299) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299. Per § 4.20: rate under the affected joint DC. Common: DC 5252 hip flexion limited (10-40%) + DC 5253 hip abduction/rotation (10-20%) for femoral head AVN with collapse; DC 5202 humerus impairment (20-80%) for humeral head AVN; DC 5215 wrist LOM for lunate AVN (Kienbock); DC 5271 ankle LOM for talar AVN. Combine with DC 5003 for arthritis residuals per § 4.25.

Q: What rates 0% for Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299 (DC 5299), a 0% rating for Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints) requires: Per § 4.20: rate under the affected joint DC. Common: DC 5252 hip flexion limited (10-40%) + DC 5253 hip abduction/rotation (10-20%) for femoral head AVN with collapse; DC 5202 humerus impairment (20-80%) for humeral head AVN; DC 5215 wrist LOM for lunate AVN (Kienbock); DC 5271 ankle LOM for talar AVN. Combine with DC 5003 for arthritis residuals per § 4.25.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 529938 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5299

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–0%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Avascular Necrosis (Other Joints) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5299 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299 across 1 severity tier (0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Death of bone tissue from disrupted blood supply in joints such as the knee, shoulder, or ankle, leading to joint collapse and arthritis

Rating Criteria

Per § 4.20: rate under the affected joint DC. Common: DC 5252 hip flexion limited (10-40%) + DC 5253 hip abduction/rotation (10-20%) for femoral head AVN with collapse; DC 5202 humerus impairment (20-80%) for humeral head AVN; DC 5215 wrist LOM for lunate AVN (Kienbock); DC 5271 ankle LOM for talar AVN. Combine with DC 5003 for arthritis residuals per § 4.25.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a (Musculoskeletal system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.71a on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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