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Adjacent Joint Degeneration VA Disability Rating is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5003 of 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a across 3 severity tiers (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). 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.
Adjacent joint degeneration (degenerative arthritis, DC 5003) occurs when a service-connected joint condition causes compensatory stress on neighboring joints. Rated based on ROM limitation of the affected joint under the appropriate DC.
Adjacent Joint Degeneration (DC 5003) is evaluated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a using the musculoskeletal rating framework. Because it is rated by analogy to the general schedule, the 3 levels below describe the body-system criteria the VA applies — the percentage assigned to Adjacent Joint Degeneration depends on the specific findings (range of motion, frequency, severity, or functional loss) documented at the C&P exam and in the medical record.
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.