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Bone infection

Document
Last amended 
18 May 2015

Fracture - Bone infection Factor

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone either by bacteria or fungus.  Infection can be spread to the affected bone via the bloodstream or can be delivered directly to the bone via trauma or surgery.  The condition can be acute or chornic.

Complications can include chronic infection that doesn’t respond well to treatment, bone abscess, osteonecrosis and spread of the infection.

Diagnosis is based on blood tests, scans, X-rays and bone tissue biopsy.  Treatment includes antibiotics, pain-killing medication, surgery to clean and drain the affected area, skin and bone grafts, and amputation.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms include pain in the bone, local swelling, redness and warmth, fever, nausea, drainage of pus through the skin, general discomfort.

Last reviewed for CCPS 24 May 2007.

Preliminary questions [5636]

5718     there is some evidence that a bone infection may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

5719     the veteran has had a bone infection at some time.

30220 the bone infection involved side and site of the body.

5720     the veteran has established the causal connection between the bone infection and VEA service for the fracture.

5728     the veteran had the bone infection involving side and site of the body at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

5722     the veteran has established the causal connection between the bone infection and VEA service for the clinical onset of the fracture.

5724     the veteran has established the causal connection between the bone infection and operational service for the clinical onset of the fracture.

or

5725     the veteran has established the causal connection between the bone infection and eligible service for the clinical onset of the fracture.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

5731     the veteran had the bone infection involving side and site of the body at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

5723     the veteran has established the causal connection between the bone infection and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the fracture.

5726     the veteran has established the causal connection between the bone infection and operational service for the clinical worsening of the fracture.

or

5727     the veteran has established the causal connection between the bone infection and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the fracture.

Clinical onset and operational service [5724]

5729     the bone infection involving side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [5725]

5730     the bone infection involving side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [5726]

5729     the bone infection involving side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

5916     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the bone infection involving side and site of the body is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [5727]

5730     the bone infection involving side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.

5917     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the bone infection involving side and site of the body is causally related.