What happens during a C&P exam for Orthopedic Hardware Pain?

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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Orthopedic Hardware Pain

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Orthopedic Hardware Pain?

Orthopedic Hardware Pain (DC 5299) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299. Per § 4.14 (avoidance of pyramiding): hardware pain is encompassed within the underlying joint or fracture rating that necessitated the hardware. Rate the primary condition (DC 5260/5261 knee, DC 5252 hip, DC 5255 femur fracture, DC 5262 tibia/fibula impairment, DC 5256 knee ankylosis, etc.) at the appropriate tier per § 4.59 painful-motion principles.

Q: What rates 0% for Orthopedic Hardware Pain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299 (DC 5299), a 0% rating for Orthopedic Hardware Pain requires: Per § 4.14 (avoidance of pyramiding): hardware pain is encompassed within the underlying joint or fracture rating that necessitated the hardware. Rate the primary condition (DC 5260/5261 knee, DC 5252 hip, DC 5255 femur fracture, DC 5262 tibia/fibula impairment, DC 5256 knee ankylosis, etc.) at the appropriate tier per § 4.59 painful-motion principles.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Orthopedic Hardware Pain VA claim?

Key evidence for a Orthopedic Hardware Pain 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

Orthopedic Hardware Pain 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

Chronic pain from retained surgical hardware (screws, plates, rods, pins) causing discomfort, sensitivity to temperature, and limited motion

Rating Criteria

Per § 4.14 (avoidance of pyramiding): hardware pain is encompassed within the underlying joint or fracture rating that necessitated the hardware. Rate the primary condition (DC 5260/5261 knee, DC 5252 hip, DC 5255 femur fracture, DC 5262 tibia/fibula impairment, DC 5256 knee ankylosis, etc.) at the appropriate tier per § 4.59 painful-motion principles.

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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