Other elbow impairment (flail joint)
The VA rates Other elbow impairment (flail joint) under Diagnostic Code 5209, with separate ratings for the dominant and non-dominant arm: 20% to 60% for the dominant arm and 20% to 50% for the non-dominant arm. The applicable level depends on the full criteria below and the evidence for the condition.
Catalog name: Elbow, other impairment of Flail joint.
Rating schedule · DC 5209 at a glance
- Dominant arm
- 20% to 60%
- Non-dominant arm
- 20% to 50%
- CFR section
- § 4.71a
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Major column of the published table
Minor column of the published table
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Other elbow impairment (flail joint)?
DC 5209 is rated separately for your dominant arm and your non-dominant arm. 38 CFR § 4.69 decides which arm is dominant.
Source: 38 CFR § 4.71a, eCFR as of .
Notes for DC 5209
- Note: In all the forearm and wrist injuries, codes 5205 through 5213, multiple impaired finger movements due to tendon tie-up, muscle or nerve injury, are to be separately rated and combined not to exceed rating for loss of use of hand.
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Other elbow impairment (flail joint) 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.
- 5203Clavicle or scapula, impairment of
- 5205Elbow, ankylosis of
- 5206Forearm, limitation of flexion of
- 5207Forearm, limitation of extension of
- 5208Forearm, flexion limited to 100° and extension to 45°
- 5210Radius and ulna, nonunion of, with flail false joint
- 5211Ulna, impairment of
- 5212Radius, impairment of
- 5213Supination and pronation, impairment of
- 5214Wrist, ankylosis of
What to do with a Other elbow impairment (flail joint) rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
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Common Questions About Other elbow impairment (flail joint) VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Other elbow impairment (flail joint)?
Dominant arm: 20% to 60%; non-dominant arm: 20% to 50%, under DC 5209, 38 CFR § 4.71a. The applicable column depends on which arm is dominant under 38 CFR § 4.69.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Other elbow impairment (flail joint)?
The VA rates Other elbow impairment (flail joint) under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5209, 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 20% and a 60% dominant-arm rating for Other elbow impairment (flail joint)?
These figures are the dominant-arm column of DC 5209. A 20% dominant-arm rating is published for: Joint fracture, with marked cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity or with ununited fracture of head of radius. A 60% dominant-arm rating is published for: Elbow, other impairment of Flail joint. The non-dominant arm is rated on its own column, 20% to 50%.
Can Other elbow impairment (flail joint) qualify for TDIU?
Using the dominant-arm maximum: DC 5209 publishes up to 60% for the dominant arm and up to 50% for the non-dominant arm. A 60% rating for one disability meets the single-disability TDIU threshold of 60% (38 CFR § 4.16(a)); if the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, VA pays at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating. The non-dominant arm maximum of 50% does not meet that threshold on its own.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Other elbow impairment (flail joint)?
The key evidence for Other elbow impairment (flail joint) 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 Other elbow impairment (flail joint)?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5209 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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