What happens during a C&P exam for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

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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De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (DC 5024) is rated at 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024. DC 5224 "Thumb, ankylosis of: unfavorable" = 20% (Major or Minor — verbatim 20/20); DC 5214 Minor "Wrist, ankylosis favorable in 20° to 30° dorsiflexion" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.

Q: What rates 20% for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 20% rating for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis requires: DC 5224 "Thumb, ankylosis of: unfavorable" = 20% (Major or Minor — verbatim 20/20); DC 5214 Minor "Wrist, ankylosis favorable in 20° to 30° dorsiflexion" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.

Q: What rates 10% for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 10% rating for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis requires: DC 5224 "Thumb, ankylosis of: favorable" = 10% (Major or Minor); DC 5228 "Thumb, limitation of motion: With a gap of one to two inches between thumb pad and fingers" = 10%; DC 5215 "Wrist, limitation of motion: Dorsiflexion <15° OR palmar flexion limited in line with forearm" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint / single-group fallback with objectively-confirmed painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm = 10%. ⚠ X-ray-only NOT available per Note 2.

Q: What rates 0% for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 (DC 5024), a 0% rating for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis requires: Diagnosed De Quervain's tenosynovitis without compensable ROM at the wrist (DC 5215) OR thumb (DC 5224/5228) AND without objectively-confirmed painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm. Positive Finkelstein test alone is diagnostic but does NOT establish compensable functional loss.

Q: What evidence do I need for a De Quervain's Tenosynovitis VA claim?

Key evidence for a De Quervain's Tenosynovitis 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 502438 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5024

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

0–20%

3 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5024 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 across 3 severity tiers (20% / 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

Painful tenosynovitis affecting the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons on the thumb side of the wrist

Rating Criteria

20%

DC 5224 "Thumb, ankylosis of: unfavorable" = 20% (Major or Minor — verbatim 20/20); DC 5214 Minor "Wrist, ankylosis favorable in 20° to 30° dorsiflexion" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only does NOT apply per Note 2.

10%

DC 5224 "Thumb, ankylosis of: favorable" = 10% (Major or Minor); DC 5228 "Thumb, limitation of motion: With a gap of one to two inches between thumb pad and fingers" = 10%; DC 5215 "Wrist, limitation of motion: Dorsiflexion <15° OR palmar flexion limited in line with forearm" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint / single-group fallback with objectively-confirmed painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm = 10%. ⚠ X-ray-only NOT available per Note 2.

Diagnosed De Quervain's tenosynovitis without compensable ROM at the wrist (DC 5215) OR thumb (DC 5224/5228) AND without objectively-confirmed painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm. Positive Finkelstein test alone is diagnostic but does NOT establish compensable functional loss.

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 reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

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