What happens during a C&P exam for Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor)?

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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Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor)?

Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) (DC 5015) is rated at 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015. Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed enchondroma and objectively-documented painful motion, OR limitation of motion compensable under the joint-specific DC. For pathologic fracture through an enchondroma, rate the residual fracture under the appropriate bone DC (DC 5275 lower extremity shortening; DC 5283 tarsal/metatarsal malunion; or joint-specific LOM).

Q: What rates 10% for Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015 (DC 5015), a 10% rating for Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) requires: Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed enchondroma and objectively-documented painful motion, OR limitation of motion compensable under the joint-specific DC. For pathologic fracture through an enchondroma, rate the residual fracture under the appropriate bone DC (DC 5275 lower extremity shortening; DC 5283 tarsal/metatarsal malunion; or joint-specific LOM).

Q: What rates 0% for Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015 (DC 5015), a 0% rating for Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) requires: Asymptomatic X-ray-confirmed enchondroma without compensable joint LOM and without § 4.59 painful-motion findings — schedularly noncompensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) 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

Enchondroma (Benign Cartilage Tumor) 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

Benign cartilage tumor growing within the medullary cavity of bone, commonly in the hand, potentially causing pathologic fractures

Rating Criteria

10%

Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed enchondroma and objectively-documented painful motion, OR limitation of motion compensable under the joint-specific DC. For pathologic fracture through an enchondroma, rate the residual fracture under the appropriate bone DC (DC 5275 lower extremity shortening; DC 5283 tarsal/metatarsal malunion; or joint-specific LOM).

Asymptomatic X-ray-confirmed enchondroma without compensable joint LOM and without § 4.59 painful-motion findings — schedularly noncompensable.

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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