Rib removal
The VA rates Rib removal under Diagnostic Code 5297 across 5 severity levels, from 10% to 50%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
Catalog name: Ribs, removal of.
Rating schedule — DC 5297 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 10%
- Maximum rating
- 50%
- Rating tiers
- 5
- CFR section
- § 4.71a
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Rib removal?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | One or resection of two or more ribs without regeneration |
| 20% | Two |
| 30% | Three or four |
| 40% | Five or six |
| 50% | More than six |
“Three or four”
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Rib removal in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 5277Weak foot, bilateralRated up to 10%
- 5278Claw foot (pes cavus), acquiredRated up to 50%
- 5279Metatarsalgia, anterior (Morton's disease), unilateral, or bilateralRated up to 10%
- 5280Hallux valgus, unilateralRated up to 10%
- 5281Hallux rigidus, unilateral, severeRated up to 0%
- 5282Hammer toeRated up to 10%
- 5283Tarsal, or metatarsal bones, malunion of, or nonunion ofRated up to 30%
- 5284Foot injuries, otherRated up to 30%
- 5296Skull, loss of part of, both inner and outer tablesRated up to 80%
- 5298Coccyx, removal ofRated up to 10%
What to do with a Rib removal rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
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Read next
- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
Common Questions About Rib removal VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Rib removal?
The VA rates Rib removal under Diagnostic Code 5297 at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%. The minimum 10% rating requires: One or resection of two or more ribs without regeneration. The maximum 50% rating requires: More than six.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Rib removal?
The VA rates Rib removal under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5297, published in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 10% and a 50% rating for Rib removal?
A 10% rating requires: One or resection of two or more ribs without regeneration. A 50% rating requires: More than six. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Rib removal qualify for TDIU?
Possibly. Rib removal maxes at 50%, which doesn't meet the single-disability TDIU threshold of 60% alone. However, if combined with other service-connected disabilities totaling 70%+ (with one at 40%+), TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a) may apply. Extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is also available if the condition alone prevents work regardless of rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Rib removal?
The key evidence for Rib removal is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. For musculoskeletal conditions, range of motion measurements (active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing per Correia v. McDonald) and flare-up documentation are critical. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Rib removal?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5297 rating criteria. Expect range of motion testing in multiple positions. Under Correia v. McDonald, the examiner must test active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing range of motion. Report your worst flare-up symptoms — if you cannot attend during a flare, request the exam be rescheduled.
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