★ Musculoskeletal
Gout VA Disability Rating
38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5017 (rated as rheumatoid arthritis under DC 5002)
Overview
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition, most commonly attacking the big toe (podagra) but also the ankle, knee, wrist, and finger joints.
VA rates gout under DC 5017, which directs the rater to the rheumatoid arthritis criteria in DC 5002 — either the active-process schedule or the chronic residuals schedule, whichever yields the higher rating.
Diet and medications used to treat service-connected conditions (especially diuretics for hypertension) can trigger or worsen gout, supporting secondary service connection theories.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Direct: documented in-service onset of gout attacks.
- Secondary: aggravation by diuretic medications used to treat service-connected hypertension or heart failure; secondary to service-connected kidney disease (impaired uric acid excretion).
- Aggravation theory: pre-existing gout worsened beyond natural progression by a service-connected condition or its treatment.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5017 (rated as rheumatoid arthritis under DC 5002)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis (active process). |
| 40% | Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported, or incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times per year. |
| 60% | Symptom combinations less than the criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia productive of severe impairment of health, or severely incapacitating exacerbations 4 or more times per year, or a lesser number over prolonged periods. |
| 100% | Constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement, totally incapacitating. |
| Residuals | When the active process is no longer present, rate on limitation of motion of the affected joints under the appropriate musculoskeletal codes. Use whichever method (active process vs residuals) gives the higher rating, but not both. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- Rheumatology consult notes confirming gout (joint aspiration showing monosodium urate crystals is the gold standard).
- Lab work: serum uric acid trends, inflammatory markers during flares.
- Treatment records documenting prescribed allopurinol, colchicine, NSAIDs, or steroids.
- Frequency log of incapacitating exacerbations — dates, duration, joints affected, work missed.
- If claimed secondary: prescription records for service-connected hypertension showing diuretic use (HCTZ, furosemide).
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to Gout:
What the C&P Exam Documents
General information about how this condition is typically evaluated. This is not coaching on what to say and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice.
- →Bring a flare log — VA rates by exacerbation frequency, so undocumented flares are essentially invisible to the rater.
- →If you are between flares, the examiner may not see active joint changes. Make sure rheumatology records and your flare log are in the file.
- →Be explicit if your provider has labeled flares as 'incapacitating' (requiring bed rest or treatment by a physician).
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Gout claim or denial?
Four fields. A VA-accredited claims agent reviews it and responds within 3–5 business days. Contingent fees apply only to awarded past-due benefits on appeals — never on initial claims.
Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.
Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria on this page are summarized in plain English from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. This page provides general education about how the VA rates this condition; it is not individualized advice, does not establish a representation relationship, and should not be used to self-diagnose, self-treat, or decide a course of action without speaking to a qualified clinician and a VA-accredited representative. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts, evidence, and the adjudicator's judgment; no specific rating, effective date, or other result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Related Conditions
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Active and inactive process ratings under DC 5002, including incapacitating exacerbations.
Hypertension
Diastolic/systolic thresholds and continuous-medication requirement.
Chronic Kidney Disease (Renal Dysfunction)
Rated under the Renal Dysfunction formula based on labs and dialysis.
Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis)
Recurrent kidney stones rated under DC 7508/7509 by frequency and intervention.