Gout

DC 5017Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5017 (rated under DC 5002 criteria)

A form of inflammatory arthritis caused by high uric acid levels that causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness in joints. The VA rates gout under the rheumatoid arthritis criteria based on how many attacks you have and how many joints are affected.

Rating Levels

Your gout causes constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement that are totally incapacitating.

What the VA looks for

Constitutional manifestations (fever, weight loss, fatigue)
Active joint involvement in multiple joints
Totally incapacitating symptoms
Unable to perform daily activities

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting each gout attack with medical records — the rating is heavily based on frequency of exacerbations. Keep records of every flare-up.
⚠Not seeking treatment during acute attacks — if you only see a doctor between attacks, your records will not show how bad flare-ups actually are.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — gout is associated with kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Medication side effects may also support additional claims.
⚠Missing the fact that gout is rated under the rheumatoid arthritis criteria (DC 5002) — make sure your C&P examiner uses the correct framework.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Non-Degenerative Arthritis (including Inflammatory, Autoimmune, Crystalline and Infectious Arthritis)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Gout

Rating Levels

Your gout causes constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement that are totally incapacitating.

What the VA looks for

Constitutional manifestations (fever, weight loss, fatigue)
Active joint involvement in multiple joints
Totally incapacitating symptoms
Unable to perform daily activities

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting each gout attack with medical records — the rating is heavily based on frequency of exacerbations. Keep records of every flare-up.

⚠Not seeking treatment during acute attacks — if you only see a doctor between attacks, your records will not show how bad flare-ups actually are.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — gout is associated with kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Medication side effects may also support additional claims.

⚠Missing the fact that gout is rated under the rheumatoid arthritis criteria (DC 5002) — make sure your C&P examiner uses the correct framework.