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C&P Exam Prep: Bursitis
DBQ Overview
Interview + Physical- Form Name
- Arthritis
- Form Code
- Arthritis
- Page Count
- 8
- Examiner Type
- Rheumatologist, Orthopedic Surgeon, or appropriate clinician
- Estimated Duration
- 30-45 minutes
- Exam Format
- Interview + Physical
What to Expect During Your Exam
Exam Overview
To evaluate the current severity of service-connected or service-connected-claimed bursitis under Diagnostic Code 5019, documenting joint involvement, range of motion limitations, frequency and severity of exacerbations, functional impairment, and overall impact on daily living and occupational performance.
What the examiner evaluates:
- Specific bursa(e) affected and affected joints (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle, etc.)
- Active and passive range of motion of affected joints
- Pain on range of motion and at end range (DeLuca factors)
- Functional loss due to pain, fatigue, weakness, or incoordination
- Frequency, duration, and severity of incapacitating versus non-incapacitating exacerbations
- Use of assistive devices (canes, braces, walker, wheelchair, crutches)
- Medications used to treat bursitis and treatment history
- Systemic involvement if any (e.g., related inflammatory or hematological findings)
- Imaging results (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) confirming bursitis
- Lab results relevant to inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP, CBC)
- Dominant hand and laterality of condition
- Weight loss attributable to the condition
- Functional impact on employment and activities of daily living
Exam is typically conducted in person at a VA facility or contracted exam center (e.g., VES, Optum, LHI). The examiner will review your claims file before and during the exam. Bring all relevant private medical records, imaging CDs or reports, and a written summary of your worst-day symptoms. Confirm whether your state permits recording of the exam and notify the examiner of your intent to record if applicable.
Typical duration: 30-45 minutes
Active Range of Motion (AROM) - Affected Joint
The maximum range of movement you can achieve on your own without assistance, measured in degrees using a goniometer.
What to expect:
The examiner will ask you to move the affected joint (e.g., shoulder abduction, hip flexion, knee flexion) through its full range while they measure the degrees achieved. They will record the point at which pain begins and the endpoint of motion.
Key thresholds:
- Pain noted at less than full ROM — Supports functional loss under DeLuca; can increase effective limitation
- Marked limitation (e.g., shoulder flexion < 60-) — May support higher rating under the applicable joint DC when rated by analogy
- Moderate limitation (e.g., shoulder flexion 60-90-) — Supports intermediate rating level
Tips:
- Move only to the point where you genuinely feel pain - do not push through it
- Tell the examiner verbally when pain begins, not just at your maximum endpoint
- Perform the motion at your typical daily pace, not artificially slow or fast
- If the affected side is your dominant extremity, say so clearly
Pain considerations: Pain itself constitutes functional loss under 38 CFR 4.40 and 4.45. If pain stops you before reaching a normal endpoint, state that clearly. The examiner should record where pain begins, not just the final degree achieved.
Passive Range of Motion (PROM) - Affected Joint
The range of movement the examiner can achieve by moving your joint for you, without your muscle effort. Compared to AROM to identify pain-versus-structural limitation.
What to expect:
The examiner will gently move your affected limb while you relax the muscles. They will note any difference between active and passive ranges and whether pain occurs during passive motion.
Key thresholds:
- PROM significantly greater than AROM — Indicates pain-driven active limitation, which still counts as functional loss under DeLuca
- PROM limited as well as AROM — Suggests structural or severe inflammatory limitation supporting higher rating
Tips:
- Relax your muscles fully during passive testing - do not assist or resist the examiner
- Tell the examiner if passive motion causes pain, even if it is less than active motion pain
- This test is required under Correia - if the examiner skips it, you may note the omission
Pain considerations: Even if passive ROM is greater than active, pain during passive motion is still relevant and should be reported to the examiner.
Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing ROM (Lower Extremity Bursitis)
For bursitis affecting the hip, knee, or ankle, the examiner should measure ROM both while bearing weight (standing) and while non-weight-bearing (lying or sitting) per Correia requirements.
What to expect:
If your bursitis affects a lower extremity joint, the examiner may test your range of motion while you stand and then again while seated or lying down. The results may differ significantly.
Key thresholds:
- Marked reduction in weight-bearing ROM vs. non-weight-bearing — Supports higher functional limitation rating; reflects real-world impact of the condition
Tips:
- If the examiner only tests you in one position for a lower extremity joint, politely ask whether they will also test you in the other position
- Describe how bearing weight on the affected joint affects your pain level
- Bring a note about your typical standing and walking limitations to reference
Pain considerations: Weight-bearing pain is particularly relevant for demonstrating how bursitis affects your daily function, including standing at work, walking distances, and climbing stairs.
Repetitive-Use Range of Motion Testing (DeLuca Compliance)
Whether your ROM decreases after three repetitions of the movement, indicating that pain, weakness, or fatigue during use causes additional functional limitation beyond the initial measurement.
What to expect:
The examiner should ask you to repeat the ROM motion three times and then re-measure. If your range decreases or your pain increases after repetition, that additional loss is recorded as functional impairment.
Key thresholds:
- Decreased ROM after repetition — Supports higher effective rating under DeLuca doctrine; reflects real functional loss from activity
- Increased pain after repetition without ROM decrease — Still supports functional loss under 38 CFR 4.40 even if degrees remain unchanged
Tips:
- Do not exert maximum effort on each repetition - move at your normal daily pace
- If you experience increased pain, stiffness, or fatigue after the third repetition, verbalize this immediately
- If the examiner does not perform repetitive testing, note this for your records - it may be a basis for a deficient exam finding
Pain considerations: Many veterans with bursitis experience the most significant functional limitation during or after sustained or repetitive activity. This is your opportunity to document that reality accurately.
Inflammatory Markers (ESR, CRP, CBC)
Blood tests that can indicate systemic inflammation, anemia of chronic disease, or other abnormalities associated with inflammatory bursitis.
What to expect:
The examiner may review existing lab results from your medical records. These tests are more likely to be ordered or reviewed if your bursitis has an inflammatory or systemic cause. Bring copies of any recent labs you have.
Key thresholds:
- Elevated ESR or CRP — Supports objective inflammatory activity; strengthens documented severity
- Anemia (low hemoglobin/hematocrit) — May indicate systemic involvement; can support additional rating considerations
Tips:
- Bring copies of any recent CBC, ESR, or CRP results from your private or VA provider
- If you have not had recent labs, ask your primary care provider to order them before the exam
- Note any abnormal results in your pre-exam written summary
Pain considerations: Elevated inflammatory markers provide objective corroboration for the pain and functional limitation you report during the examination.
Imaging Review (X-ray, MRI, Ultrasound)
Structural evidence of bursitis, including bursal sac enlargement, calcific deposits, associated joint changes, or fluid accumulation visible on imaging.
What to expect:
The examiner will review any available imaging results. They may also order new imaging if none is on file. MRI and ultrasound are the most sensitive for confirming bursitis; X-rays may show calcific bursitis or associated joint changes.
Key thresholds:
- Imaging-confirmed bursal enlargement or fluid — Provides objective confirmation of diagnosis and current active condition
- Calcific deposits on X-ray — Documents chronicity and severity of condition
Tips:
- Bring all imaging discs or printed reports to the exam
- Note the date of your most recent imaging in your written summary
- If imaging is outdated, ask your provider for updated studies before the exam
Pain considerations: Imaging findings provide objective support for the pain and functional limitations you report, making your overall account more credible and complete.
Rating Criteria Breakdown
| Rating % | Criteria | Key Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | Severe bursitis with pronounced limitation of motion, chronic incapacitating exacerbations, severe pain, and profound functional impairment. May require surgical intervention or continuous high-level medical management. |
CFR: The highest analogous joint ratings (40%+) apply when there is severe, chronic functional impairment. Bursitis rated under DC 5019 by analogy can reach these levels when the joint involved is severely affected and the evidence documents the full extent of impairment. |
| 30% | Moderately severe bursitis with marked limitation of range of motion, recurring incapacitating exacerbations, significant pain on use, and notable functional impairment affecting employment and daily activities. |
CFR: Under the analogous joint DC, marked limitation of motion and recurring incapacitating episodes support a 30% rating. DeLuca factors must be fully documented to support this level. |
| 20% | Moderate bursitis with frequent non-incapacitating exacerbations or occasional incapacitating episodes. Moderate range of motion limitation with pain on use. Requires prescription medications or corticosteroid injections. |
CFR: Under the analogous joint rating, 20% reflects moderate impairment. The combination of frequent exacerbations, range of motion loss, and medication requirements supports this level. |
| 10% | Mild bursitis with occasional non-incapacitating exacerbations, minimal range of motion limitation, and pain controlled with over-the-counter medications or mild treatment. Functional limitation is present but minimal. |
CFR: Rated by analogy under the applicable joint DC (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee). 10% reflects mild limitation consistent with early or well-controlled bursitis with objective findings. |
| 0% | Bursitis rated as 0% when the condition is confirmed service-connected but produces no current functional impairment or symptoms warranting a compensable rating. The condition exists but does not currently limit function. |
CFR: Under DC 5019, bursitis is rated by analogy to the closest analogous joint condition under 38 CFR 4.71a. A 0% rating indicates diagnosis without compensable disability. |
40% Severe bursitis with pronounced limitation of motion, chroni ...
Severe bursitis with pronounced limitation of motion, chronic incapacitating exacerbations, severe pain, and profound functional impairment. May require surgical intervention or continuous high-level medical management.
Key Symptoms
- Pronounced or complete limitation of motion of the affected joint
- Chronic or nearly constant incapacitating exacerbations
- Severe pain at rest and with any activity
- History of or need for surgical intervention (e.g., bursectomy)
- Requires use of multiple assistive devices or wheelchair
- Unable to perform sedentary or light work due to condition
- Continuous prescription medication use including biologics or chronic corticosteroids
- Significant weight loss, systemic involvement, or comorbid inflammatory condition
CFR: The highest analogous joint ratings (40%+) apply when there is severe, chronic functional impairment. Bursitis rated under DC 5019 by analogy can reach these levels when the joint involved is severely affected and the evidence documents the full extent of impairment.
30% Moderately severe bursitis with marked limitation of range o ...
Moderately severe bursitis with marked limitation of range of motion, recurring incapacitating exacerbations, significant pain on use, and notable functional impairment affecting employment and daily activities.
Key Symptoms
- Marked limitation of range of motion of the affected joint
- Recurring incapacitating exacerbations (periods requiring bed rest or cessation of all activities)
- Significant pain at rest and with use
- Requires ongoing prescription treatment, injections, or specialist care
- Significant limitation in employment capacity
- Regular use of assistive devices
- DeLuca factors present: reduced ROM on repetition, pain with use causing functional loss
CFR: Under the analogous joint DC, marked limitation of motion and recurring incapacitating episodes support a 30% rating. DeLuca factors must be fully documented to support this level.
20% Moderate bursitis with frequent non-incapacitating exacerbat ...
Moderate bursitis with frequent non-incapacitating exacerbations or occasional incapacitating episodes. Moderate range of motion limitation with pain on use. Requires prescription medications or corticosteroid injections.
Key Symptoms
- Frequent non-incapacitating exacerbations (multiple times per month)
- Moderate limitation of joint range of motion
- Pain that limits sustained activity and repetitive use
- Requires prescription NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or physical therapy
- Some limitation in work-related or recreational activities
- Possible use of a cane or brace for support
CFR: Under the analogous joint rating, 20% reflects moderate impairment. The combination of frequent exacerbations, range of motion loss, and medication requirements supports this level.
10% Mild bursitis with occasional non-incapacitating exacerbatio ...
Mild bursitis with occasional non-incapacitating exacerbations, minimal range of motion limitation, and pain controlled with over-the-counter medications or mild treatment. Functional limitation is present but minimal.
Key Symptoms
- Occasional flare-ups that do not require bed rest or cessation of all activities
- Mild pain with certain movements or positions
- Mild limitation of range of motion of the affected joint
- Managed with NSAIDs, ice, or minimal intervention
- Able to perform most activities of daily living with mild modification
CFR: Rated by analogy under the applicable joint DC (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee). 10% reflects mild limitation consistent with early or well-controlled bursitis with objective findings.
0% Bursitis rated as 0% when the condition is confirmed service ...
Bursitis rated as 0% when the condition is confirmed service-connected but produces no current functional impairment or symptoms warranting a compensable rating. The condition exists but does not currently limit function.
Key Symptoms
- Diagnosed bursitis with minimal or no active symptoms
- No limitation of motion
- No incapacitating or non-incapacitating exacerbations
- No assistive device use
- No functional impairment in daily activities or employment
CFR: Under DC 5019, bursitis is rated by analogy to the closest analogous joint condition under 38 CFR 4.71a. A 0% rating indicates diagnosis without compensable disability.
How to Describe Your Symptoms
Pain - Location, Quality, and Severity
How to describe:
Describe the exact location of your pain (e.g., 'deep aching pain over the point of my shoulder,' 'sharp pain on the outside of my hip when I lie on it'). Rate pain on a 0-10 scale for both your average day and your worst day. Describe what makes it worse (overhead reaching, prolonged sitting, walking, stairs) and what, if anything, provides relief.
Worst-day example:
“On my worst days, the pain in my shoulder bursa is a 9 out of 10. I cannot lift my arm above waist height, cannot dress myself without help, and the pain wakes me from sleep multiple times per night. Even lying still, I have a constant 5 out of 10 aching that makes it impossible to rest comfortably.”
What the examiner listens for:
Specific location consistent with known bursae, pain severity on a numeric scale, activities that provoke pain, radiation of pain, impact on sleep, and whether pain is present at rest versus only with activity.
Understatements to avoid:
Do not say 'the pain is not that bad' or 'I manage it okay' if you are actually limiting your activities, taking pain medication regularly, or avoiding movements due to pain. Describe your reality accurately, including on difficult days.
Range of Motion Limitation
How to describe:
Describe specifically which movements you cannot perform or can only partially perform. Use functional examples: 'I cannot reach above my shoulder to get items from a shelf,' 'I cannot fully straighten my knee when walking,' 'I cannot rotate my hip enough to put on my socks without pain.'
Worst-day example:
“On a bad day, I cannot raise my arm above elbow height at all. I cannot reach across my body, and any attempt to lift even a light object causes sharp pain that forces me to stop immediately. I have stopped doing any overhead work entirely.”
What the examiner listens for:
Specific functional limitations tied to the affected joint, consistency between reported limitations and objective ROM findings, whether limitation is pain-driven or structural, and how limitation has changed over time.
Understatements to avoid:
Do not demonstrate full range of motion if it causes pain to do so - stop where you genuinely stop in daily life. Do not perform movements you would never attempt at home just because someone in a clinical setting is watching.
Flare-Ups (Exacerbations) - Frequency, Duration, and Severity
How to describe:
Clearly distinguish between non-incapacitating exacerbations (increased pain that limits some activities but does not require bed rest) and incapacitating exacerbations (periods when you are essentially confined to bed or completely unable to perform any meaningful activity). For each, state how often they occur and how long they last.
Worst-day example:
“I have incapacitating flare-ups about twice a month, each lasting 3 to 5 days. During these episodes, I cannot get out of bed without help, I cannot drive, and I have missed work on multiple occasions. My non-incapacitating flare-ups happen almost weekly and last 1 to 2 days each.”
What the examiner listens for:
Clear distinction between incapacitating and non-incapacitating episodes, specific frequency (times per week/month), duration of each episode, what triggers them, what relieves them, and documented missed work or activity days.
Understatements to avoid:
Do not describe every episode as 'mild' or say you 'just push through it.' If you have had to stay home from work, cancel plans, or rely on others for basic tasks during a flare, that is an incapacitating episode and should be described as such.
DeLuca Factors - Fatigue, Weakness, and Incoordination with Use
How to describe:
Describe how your symptoms change after sustained or repetitive use of the affected joint. For example: 'After using my arm for 20 minutes of light activity, my shoulder becomes so painful I have to stop for at least an hour,' or 'After walking two blocks, my hip pain increases from a 4 to an 8 and I need to sit down.'
Worst-day example:
“If I try to use my shoulder for more than 10 consecutive minutes - even light tasks like typing or stirring - the pain increases dramatically and my arm becomes weak and shaky. I then need to rest it completely for hours before I can try again. This severely limits my ability to work.”
What the examiner listens for:
Whether symptoms worsen with repetitive use, how quickly fatigue or increased pain develops, what recovery time is needed, and whether weakness or incoordination accompany pain during use.
Understatements to avoid:
Do not skip mentioning post-activity pain increases just because you were able to perform the movement during the exam. The exam is a snapshot; your daily experience of fatigue and increased pain after use is equally important and legally recognized under DeLuca v. Brown.
Functional Impact - Work, ADLs, and Social Activities
How to describe:
Be specific about which job tasks, household tasks, and recreational activities you can no longer perform or can only perform with significant limitation. Name the activity and describe how the bursitis affects it: 'I cannot type for more than 15 minutes,' 'I cannot carry groceries,' 'I had to stop coaching my child's sports team.'
Worst-day example:
“On my worst days, I cannot prepare my own meals, shower without a shower chair, or drive to medical appointments. I have had to ask family members to help me dress, and I have been unable to work my full shift on multiple occasions each month due to the pain.”
What the examiner listens for:
Specific named activities and how they are affected, whether limitations are consistent with the diagnosed condition and affected joint, use of adaptive strategies, and impact on employment including missed days or reduced hours.
Understatements to avoid:
Do not give vague answers like 'it affects a lot of things.' Name the specific things. The examiner needs concrete functional examples to document accurately in the DBQ field for functional impact.
Treatment History and Medication Use
How to describe:
Provide a complete list of all treatments you have received for bursitis, including: corticosteroid injections (how many, how often, which joint), physical therapy (how many sessions, what period), NSAIDs, prescription pain medications, biologics, and any surgical procedures. Note which treatments helped and which did not.
Worst-day example:
“I have received six corticosteroid injections into my shoulder bursa over the past three years, and each provides only 4 to 6 weeks of partial relief before pain returns. I take prescription meloxicam daily and still have significant pain. I completed 12 weeks of physical therapy with only temporary improvement.”
What the examiner listens for:
The extent and chronicity of treatment, whether conservative measures have failed, the frequency of injections, use of prescription versus over-the-counter medications, and whether more aggressive intervention has been required.
Understatements to avoid:
Do not downplay the number of treatments you have received or imply that treatment has fully resolved the condition if you are still symptomatic. The need for repeated injections or ongoing prescription medication is objective evidence of an active, chronic condition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Performing full ROM during the exam despite having pain
Many veterans push through pain during the exam out of habit or a desire to appear capable. This results in the examiner recording a better ROM than actually exists in daily life, leading to an underrated condition.
Instead: Stop the movement at the point where pain begins or significantly worsens - the same point you would stop in your daily life. Tell the examiner verbally: 'This is where my pain begins and where I stop this movement at home.'
Impact: All levels - particularly the difference between 10% and 20-30%
Describing only average-day symptoms rather than worst-day symptoms
VA rating criteria under M21-1 guidance direct veterans to report how the condition affects them on their worst days, not on a typical manageable day. Describing only good days systematically underrepresents the true disability.
Instead: Explicitly tell the examiner: 'On my worst days, which occur [X times per month], the condition affects me as follows...' Then describe the full impact of a worst-day scenario in concrete, specific terms.
Impact: Critical for 20%, 30%, and 40% ratings - determines whether incapacitating episodes are documented
Failing to report DeLuca factors (post-activity pain increase, fatigue, weakness)
The examiner may only test ROM once at the beginning of the exam. If you do not volunteer information about how your symptoms worsen with repetitive use or sustained activity, this critical factor will not be documented, and your rating will be based on a single resting measurement.
Instead: After ROM testing, proactively state: 'I should mention that my pain increases significantly after repeated use of this joint. After [X minutes/repetitions], the pain increases to [Y/10] and I must rest for [Z time] before I can use it again.'
Impact: Critical for 20%+ ratings; DeLuca factors can raise an effective rating by 10-20 percentage points
Not distinguishing between incapacitating and non-incapacitating exacerbations
The rating criteria for bursitis under DC 5019 (rated by analogy) often hinge on the frequency and duration of incapacitating versus non-incapacitating episodes. Lumping all flare-ups together as 'bad days' obscures this critical distinction.
Instead: Before the exam, write down: (1) how often you have non-incapacitating flare-ups per month and how long they last, and (2) how often you have incapacitating episodes per month, how long they last, and what you cannot do during them (e.g., missed work, bed rest). Present this clearly to the examiner.
Impact: Critical for distinguishing between 10% and 20-30% ratings
Forgetting to mention assistive device use
The DBQ has specific fields for wheelchair, walker, crutches, canes, and braces. Failing to mention these devices means they will not be documented, and the examiner cannot give them appropriate weight in the overall severity assessment.
Instead: Bring any assistive devices you use to the exam. If you use them only on bad days or intermittently, say so. State the device name, how often you use it, and for which activities.
Impact: Relevant at 20%+ levels; wheelchair/walker use supports severe ratings
Minimizing the impact of the condition on employment
The examiner asks about functional impact on employment and daily activities. Veterans often understate work limitations out of pride or habit, resulting in incomplete documentation that fails to capture the true occupational impact.
Instead: Be specific and honest about missed workdays, reduced hours, tasks you can no longer perform, accommodations you have requested, and whether you have changed jobs or left work due to the condition.
Impact: Critical for 30-40% ratings and TDIU considerations
Not bringing supporting records and documentation to the exam
Examiners are instructed to review the claims file, but private records, recent imaging, recent labs, and nexus letters are not always in the file. If you bring them, they are more likely to be reviewed and referenced in the DBQ.
Instead: Bring organized copies of: all imaging reports and discs, recent lab results (ESR, CRP, CBC), a list of all current medications with dosages, your private physician's treatment notes, any nexus letters, and a written one-page symptom summary.
Impact: Affects all rating levels and the nexus/service connection determination
Prep Checklist
Before Your Exam
Day Of
During the Exam
After the Exam
Your Rights During a C&P Exam
- You have the right to record your C&P examination in most states, provided you notify the examiner before the exam begins. Check your state's consent laws; many states allow single-party consent recording.
- You have the right to a thorough, competent examination. An exam that does not include a physical examination of the affected joint, range of motion testing, or DeLuca factor assessment may be considered inadequate and subject to challenge.
- You have the right to request a new C&P examination if the original exam is found to be inadequate, incomplete, or based on an inaccurate factual premise.
- You have the right to submit private medical opinions and nexus letters from your own treating physicians. These carry significant evidentiary weight and the VA must address them in its rating decision.
- You have the right to have buddy statements (lay evidence) from family, friends, or coworkers submitted as evidence and considered by the VA rater. Lay evidence is legally competent to establish the existence and severity of observable symptoms.
- You have the right to review your claims file (C-file) at any time by submitting a Privacy Act or FOIA request. Reviewing your file before the exam allows you to identify missing records.
- You have the right to bring a representative, accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent to your C&P examination for support, though they typically cannot participate in the exam itself.
- You have the right to receive the benefit of the doubt when there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding any issue material to your claim, per 38 U.S.C. 5107(b).
- You have the right to appeal any rating decision through the Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board of Veterans' Appeals lanes if you disagree with the outcome.
- You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity during your examination. You may report unprofessional conduct to the VA or contracting examination company.
Related Conditions
- Shoulder Condition (including Impingement Syndrome) Shoulder bursitis (subacromial/subdeltoid) is frequently associated with shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff pathology. These conditions may co exist and affect the same rating criteria under DC 5200 5203 or by analogy.
- Hip Condition (including Trochanteric Bursitis) Trochanteric bursitis is a common form of hip bursitis. It may be evaluated alongside hip joint conditions under DC 5250 5256 when both structures are involved, and affects the same lower extremity functional capacity.
- Knee Condition (including Prepatellar or Pes Anserine Bursitis) Knee bursitis may accompany or be rated alongside knee joint pathology under DC 5256 5263. Both conditions affect the same joint and may contribute to the same functional limitations.
- Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) Bursitis frequently co occurs with degenerative joint disease in the same joint. Under 38 CFR 4.14, the combined effects of both conditions cannot be 'pyramided' under the same rating code but must be fully documented and may support rating different aspects under different DCs.
- Tendinitis / Tendinopathy Bursitis (DC 5019) and tendinitis (DC 5024) often occur together in the same anatomical region (e.g., rotator cuff tendinitis with subacromial bursitis). Both are rated by analogy and the combined functional impairment should be fully documented.
- Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia (DC 5025) can produce widespread musculoskeletal pain that may overlap with bursitis symptoms. If both conditions are present, each must be separately rated and documented without pyramiding.
- PTSD and Chronic Pain (Mental Health Secondary Condition) Chronic pain from bursitis may contribute to or exacerbate mental health conditions such as PTSD or depression. A secondary service connection claim for a mental health condition caused or aggravated by chronic pain from bursitis may be warranted.
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This C&P exam preparation guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or claims advice. Always consult with a qualified Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative or VA-accredited attorney for guidance specific to your claim. Never exaggerate, minimize, or fabricate symptoms during a C&P examination.