Joint disease or disorder not classified elsewhere, excluding gout.
For the active phase, evidence showing constitutional manifestations such as fever, fatigue, or systemic effects tied to active joint involvement supports the highest rating. Records documenting weight loss, anemia, and their impact on your overall health, or records showing how often severe exacerbations occur and how long they last, support the middle ratings. A confirmed diagnosis of one of the covered arthropathies alongside documented exacerbation frequency supports the 20% level.
For chronic residuals rated under diagnostic code 5003, X-ray reports confirming arthritis in two or more major joints or minor joint groups are central. If your joints also have limited motion, examination findings showing swelling, muscle spasm, or painful motion on range-of-motion testing help establish that limitation. Examiner notes measuring the degree of motion loss for each affected joint are especially useful.
Statements from you or people who know you describing how pain, stiffness, swelling, or exacerbations affect your ability to work, carry out daily tasks, or move around can help show the real-world impact of your symptoms at any rating level.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
