Bursitis is a condition that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensates veterans for who can show a military service connection. VA ratings for bursitis range between 10% and 90%.The veterans disability attorneys at Stone Rose Law help disabled military veterans make initial and supplemental VA claims for all kinds of disabilities, including bursitis. To learn more about how we can help you, call us at (480) 498-8998 to speak with a VA benefits lawyer.
The VA rates bursitis disabilities from 10% to 90%. The bursitis VA rating you receive depends on a totality of circumstances, including how it affects your range of motion, your level of pain when moving, and any functional loss you experience.
Two diagnostic codes the VA uses for bursitis are Diagnostic Code 5019 for bursitis generally and Diagnostic Code 5003 for bursitis connected with degenerative arthritis, which can result in a 10% or 20% disability rating.
As we will see below, in some cases, the VA will rate bursitis under the limitation of motion diagnostic codes.
The VA rates bursitis of the shoulder using diagnostic codes 5200 through 5203. These include rotator cuff injury disabilities like rotator cuff tears and other shoulder injuries.
Your rating can be from 10% up to 80%, depending on your shoulder’s range of motion, the affected shoulder, and the shoulder pain you are experiencing.
| Shoulder Joint | Lifting Ability | Disability Rating |
| Dominant | 25 degrees | 40% |
| Non-Dominant | 25 degrees | 30% |
| Dominant | Up to midway level | 30% |
| Non-Dominant | Up to midway level | 20% |
| Either | Between mid-and shoulder level | 20% |
Ankylosis, or frozen shoulder, is covered under diagnostic code 5200.
The VA uses diagnostic codes 5205 through 5212 to rate elbow bursitis from 10% to 60%. Which code and what disability rating applies to you will depend on whether the elbow joint is for your dominant arm, how your elbow bursitis reduces your range of motion in bending or straightening the elbow, and the pain you experience.
| Elbow Joint | Bending Ability | Rating |
| Dominant | 45 degrees | 50% |
| Non-Dominant | 45 degrees | 40% |
| Dominant | 55 degrees | 40% |
| Non-Dominant | 55 degrees | 30% |
| Dominant | 70 degrees | 30% |
| Non-Dominant | 70 degrees | 20% |
| Either | 90 degrees | 20% |
| Either | 100 degrees | 10% |
| Either | 110 degrees | 0% |
| Elbow Joint | Extension Ability | Rating |
| Dominant | 110 degrees | 50% |
| Non-Dominant | 110 degrees | 40% |
| Dominant | 100 degrees | 40% |
| Non-Dominant | 100 degrees | 30% |
| Dominant | 90 degrees | 30% |
| Non-Dominant | 90 degrees | 20% |
| Either | 75 degrees | 20% |
| Either | 60 degrees | 10% |
Veterans experiencing complete inability to move an elbow (ankylosis) can receive a 60% disability rating.
Those who simultaneously experience flexion limited to 100 degrees and extension limited to 45 degrees receive a 20% disability rating.
The VA uses diagnostic codes 5250 through 5255 to rate bursitis in the hip from 10% up to 90% based on major or minor hip joint pain, range of motion, and limited mobility.
Some examples of VA ratings for hip pain include:
Full immobility of the hip is covered under diagnostic code 5250.
A 90% rating under DC 5250 makes you eligible for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
The VA uses diagnostic codes 5256 through 5262 to rate knee bursitis. The rating you receive can range from 0% to 60%, depending on your ability to flex and extend the knee, whether your dominant knee is affected, knee instability, functional loss, and knee pain.
Some examples of VA ratings for knee disabilities are:
In some cases, a bursitis condition can arise because of another disability for which the VA has already given you a disability rating. This is known as a secondary service connection disability claim.
For example, if you have a knee injury that qualifies for a VA disability rating, this injury can cause you to change your gait when walking. The altered mechanics of how you adapt because of the knee injury can eventually lead to developing bursitis in your hip.
Secondary service connection disabilities become part of a combined disability rating. To learn more about how combined VA disability benefits can apply to you, see our VA Disability Calculator Page.
If your bursitis disability rating, alone or as part of a combined disability rating, does not equal 100%, you may still qualify for total disability benefits through TDIU.
To receive TDIU total disability, your disability or disabilities must make it impossible for you to keep substantially gainful employment. If this is the case, then TDIU can apply to you in one of three ways:
To receive VA disability benefits for bursitis, you must establish a service connection to the condition. To do this, your claim must meet the following three requirements:
You can establish the medical nexus in the form of a “nexus letter” that your treating doctor prepares. In addition to this letter, your bursitis disability claim to the VA should be accompanied by additional supporting documentation. Examples of what to send with your claim include:
Once you submit your bursitis disability claim to the VA, the VA may schedule you for a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. This exam allows the VA to learn more about your bursitis condition and, if your claim is accepted, assign you a VA disability rating.
During a C&P exam, a VA examiner will take you through the steps. These generally will include reviewing your supporting documentation, including any VA medical records, and asking you some questions about your condition, how it began, and your symptoms. The last part of the exam may include a physical examination and some tests to measure your range of motion in the affected joints.
After completing the C&P exam, the VA examiner will prepare a report to the VA. You will receive a copy of this report.
If the VA schedules you for a C&P exam, it is essential that you make your appointment date and time. If, for any reason, you cannot attend, you need to show good cause. Missing your C&P exam without good cause can hurt your chances of a successful bursitis claim or even lead to a claim denial.
An experienced VA disability benefits lawyer can help you prepare for your C&P exam.
Sometimes, the VA will deny VA benefits claims for bursitis. If this has happened to you, you can still turn that initial claim denial into an approval. These options include:
The VA appeals process can be complex. While it is possible to submit your initial claim on your own, it is a good idea to have the help of a VA disability benefits appeals attorney to make sure you navigate it successfully.
Servicemembers can develop a bursitis condition in many ways because of the physical demands inherent in many military activities. Some of the most common are repetitive motions and repetitive stress, continual lifting of heavy items, or activities that put heavy pressure on joints, like climbing and pivoting.
Other causes of bursitis include trauma, either directly to the joint or from falls, infections, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis.
As mentioned above, the most common symptom of bursitis is significant pain. This pain can occur when you move or apply pressure to the joint.
But there are other symptoms you can experience as well, including joint swelling and tenderness, redness, and limited motion.
Stone Rose Law veterans benefits lawyers help military and veterans nationwide with initial claims, supplemental claims, and claims appeals.
If your benefits claim gets denied by the VA, we have highly experienced benefits appeals lawyers who can represent you during the appeal process.Please call (480) 498-8998 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with a veterans benefits law attorney.
