What are the VA rating percentages for Gout (Gouty Arthritis)?

Gout (Gouty Arthritis) (DC 5017) is rated at 20%, 40%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017. One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis.

What rates 20% for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017 (DC 5017), a 20% rating for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) requires: One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis.

What rates 40% for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017 (DC 5017), a 40% rating for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) requires: Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health or incapacitating exacerbations 3+ times/year.

What rates 60% for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017 (DC 5017), a 60% rating for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) requires: Weight loss and anemia or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4+ times/year.

What rates 100% for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017 (DC 5017), a 100% rating for Gout (Gouty Arthritis) requires: Totally incapacitating constitutional manifestations with active joint involvement.

What happens during a C&P exam for Gout (Gouty Arthritis)?

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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CLAIM RECON INTEL

Gout (Gouty Arthritis)

Q: What evidence do I need for a Gout (Gouty Arthritis) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Gout (Gouty Arthritis) 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 501738 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5017

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

20–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Gout (Gouty Arthritis) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5017 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5017 across 4 severity tiers (20% / 40% / 60% / 100%). 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

Inflammatory arthritis caused by monosodium urate crystal deposits in joints, causing recurrent painful flares and joint damage

Rating Criteria

20%

One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis.

40%

Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health or incapacitating exacerbations 3+ times/year.

60%

Weight loss and anemia or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4+ times/year.

100%

Totally incapacitating constitutional manifestations with active joint involvement.

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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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