EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Bone Cancer (Residuals)
DC 5012 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5012 |
Bone Cancer (Residuals) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5012 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5012 across 4 severity tiers (100% / 60% / 30% / 10%). 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.
OVERVIEW
Residuals of primary bone malignancy (osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma) or bone metastases including pain, weakness, and functional loss
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
100%
DC 5012 verbatim NOTE — 100% rating for active malignant bone neoplasm (during/after surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure). The 100% rating continues for six months beyond the cessation of treatment; mandatory VA examination at the expiration of six months. Any rating change is subject to § 3.105(e). If no local recurrence or metastasis, rate-as residuals under the appropriate musculoskeletal DC for the affected bone (limitation of motion at the affected joint, prosthesis DC 5051-5056 if joint replacement performed, amputation DC 5120-5173 if amputation performed, scar/disfigurement under § 4.118).
60%
Post-treatment residuals — severe: rate-as severe limitation of motion (DC 5200-5275 range depending on joint), or severe amputation residual, or marked weakness/atrophy under the appropriate muscle group DC. Specific tier depends on affected bone/joint.
30%
Post-treatment residuals — moderate: rate-as moderate limitation of motion or moderate amputation residual under the appropriate DC.
10%
Post-treatment residuals — mild: minimum compensable rating per the underlying musculoskeletal DC (typically 10% for painful motion or compensable limitation).
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-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
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026