What happens during a C&P exam for Fracture Nonunion?

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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Fracture Nonunion

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Fracture Nonunion?

Fracture Nonunion (DC 5299) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299. Per § 4.20: rate under the bone-specific nonunion DC. Common values: DC 5255 femur nonunion with loose motion = 90% with SMC; without loose motion = 60% with SMC; DC 5262 tibia/fibula nonunion = 40%; DC 5275 lower-extremity shortening 1.25-2 inches = 10% up to 60% for over 4 inches with SMC; DC 5283 tarsal/metatarsal nonunion = 10/20/30 Severe/Moderately Severe/Moderate.

Q: What rates 0% for Fracture Nonunion under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5299 (DC 5299), a 0% rating for Fracture Nonunion requires: Per § 4.20: rate under the bone-specific nonunion DC. Common values: DC 5255 femur nonunion with loose motion = 90% with SMC; without loose motion = 60% with SMC; DC 5262 tibia/fibula nonunion = 40%; DC 5275 lower-extremity shortening 1.25-2 inches = 10% up to 60% for over 4 inches with SMC; DC 5283 tarsal/metatarsal nonunion = 10/20/30 Severe/Moderately Severe/Moderate.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Fracture Nonunion VA claim?

Key evidence for a Fracture Nonunion 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

Fracture Nonunion 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

Fracture that has failed to heal (nonunion) or healed in poor alignment (malunion), causing persistent pain, instability, and functional loss

Rating Criteria

Per § 4.20: rate under the bone-specific nonunion DC. Common values: DC 5255 femur nonunion with loose motion = 90% with SMC; without loose motion = 60% with SMC; DC 5262 tibia/fibula nonunion = 40%; DC 5275 lower-extremity shortening 1.25-2 inches = 10% up to 60% for over 4 inches with SMC; DC 5283 tarsal/metatarsal nonunion = 10/20/30 Severe/Moderately Severe/Moderate.

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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