What happens during a C&P exam for Osteochondroma (Benign Bone 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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Osteochondroma (Benign Bone Tumor)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Osteochondroma (Benign Bone Tumor)?

Osteochondroma (Benign Bone Tumor) (DC 5015) is rated at 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015. Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed osteochondroma and objectively-documented painful motion of the affected joint, OR limitation of motion compensable under the joint-specific DC. Osteochondroma can compress adjacent neurovascular structures; if compression causes peripheral nerve symptoms, separately rate under § 4.124a (DC 8520-8530 nerve series) and combine per § 4.25.

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

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015 (DC 5015), a 10% rating for Osteochondroma (Benign Bone Tumor) requires: Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed osteochondroma and objectively-documented painful motion of the affected joint, OR limitation of motion compensable under the joint-specific DC. Osteochondroma can compress adjacent neurovascular structures; if compression causes peripheral nerve symptoms, separately rate under § 4.124a (DC 8520-8530 nerve series) and combine per § 4.25.

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

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5015 (DC 5015), a 0% rating for Osteochondroma (Benign Bone Tumor) requires: Asymptomatic X-ray-confirmed osteochondroma without compensable joint LOM and without § 4.59 painful-motion findings — schedularly noncompensable. Service connection preserved; § 3.310 secondary claims for derived impingement/compression remain compensable.

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

Key evidence for a Osteochondroma (Benign Bone 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

Osteochondroma (Benign Bone 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-capped bony growth arising near a growth plate, potentially causing pain, nerve compression, or limited joint motion

Rating Criteria

10%

Per § 4.59 with X-ray-confirmed osteochondroma and objectively-documented painful motion of the affected joint, OR limitation of motion compensable under the joint-specific DC. Osteochondroma can compress adjacent neurovascular structures; if compression causes peripheral nerve symptoms, separately rate under § 4.124a (DC 8520-8530 nerve series) and combine per § 4.25.

Asymptomatic X-ray-confirmed osteochondroma without compensable joint LOM and without § 4.59 painful-motion findings — schedularly noncompensable. Service connection preserved; § 3.310 secondary claims for derived impingement/compression remain compensable.

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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