What happens during a C&P exam for Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)?

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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Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)?

Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) (DC 5015) is rated at 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015. Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed osteophyte and objectively-documented painful motion (swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion) of the affected joint: the minimum 10% single-joint compensable rating applies under DC 5003 (single-joint painful-motion floor). For non-painful-motion symptomatic osteophytes, rating is limited to the joint-specific LOM tier (e.g., DC 5260/5261 knee, DC 5252/5253 hip, DC 5215 wrist).

Q: What rates 10% for Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015 (DC 5015), a 10% rating for Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) requires: Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed osteophyte and objectively-documented painful motion (swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion) of the affected joint: the minimum 10% single-joint compensable rating applies under DC 5003 (single-joint painful-motion floor). For non-painful-motion symptomatic osteophytes, rating is limited to the joint-specific LOM tier (e.g., DC 5260/5261 knee, DC 5252/5253 hip, DC 5215 wrist).

Q: What rates 0% for Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015 (DC 5015), a 0% rating for Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) requires: X-ray-confirmed osteophyte without compensable LOM under the joint-specific DC AND without § 4.59 painful-motion findings — schedularly noncompensable. Service connection is preserved; § 3.310 secondary claims for derived conditions remain compensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) 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 501538 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5015

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–10%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Bone Spurs (Osteophytes) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5015 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015 across 2 severity tiers (10% / 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

Bony projections (osteophytes) developing along bone edges at joints, causing pain, inflammation, and restricted range of motion

Rating Criteria

10%

Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed osteophyte and objectively-documented painful motion (swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion) of the affected joint: the minimum 10% single-joint compensable rating applies under DC 5003 (single-joint painful-motion floor). For non-painful-motion symptomatic osteophytes, rating is limited to the joint-specific LOM tier (e.g., DC 5260/5261 knee, DC 5252/5253 hip, DC 5215 wrist).

X-ray-confirmed osteophyte without compensable LOM under the joint-specific DC AND without § 4.59 painful-motion findings — schedularly noncompensable. Service connection is preserved; § 3.310 secondary claims for derived conditions remain compensable.

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.

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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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