Humerus impairment
The VA rates Humerus impairment under Diagnostic Code 5202, with separate ratings for the dominant and non-dominant arm: 20% to 80% for the dominant arm and 20% to 70% for the non-dominant arm. The applicable level depends on the full criteria below and the evidence for the condition.
Catalog name: Humerus, other impairment of.
Rating schedule · DC 5202 at a glance
- Dominant arm
- 20% to 80%
- Non-dominant arm
- 20% to 70%
- 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 Humerus impairment?
DC 5202 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 .
What other musculoskeletal conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Humerus impairment 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.
- 5171Toe, great, amputation of
- 5172Toes, other than great, amputation of, with removal of metatarsal head
- 5173Toes, three or four, amputation of, without metatarsal involvement
- 5200Scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis of
- 5201Arm, limitation of motion of
- 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°
What to do with a Humerus impairment rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
On this site
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- 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.
- TDIU: 100 Percent VA Pay Without a 100 Percent RatingTDIU pays the 100% VA compensation rate without a 100% rating. See the percentage paths, the extraschedular route under 38 CFR 4.16(b), and how work affects it.
Common Questions About Humerus impairment VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Humerus impairment?
Dominant arm: 20% to 80%; non-dominant arm: 20% to 70%, under DC 5202, 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 Humerus impairment?
The VA rates Humerus impairment under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5202, 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 80% dominant-arm rating for Humerus impairment?
These figures are the dominant-arm column of DC 5202. A 20% dominant-arm rating is published for: Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint: With infrequent episodes and guarding of movement only at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction at 90 °); or Malunion of: Moderate deformity. A 80% dominant-arm rating is published for: Loss of head of (flail shoulder). The non-dominant arm is rated on its own column, 20% to 70%.
Can Humerus impairment qualify for TDIU?
Using the dominant-arm maximum: DC 5202 publishes up to 80% for the dominant arm and up to 70% for the non-dominant arm. A 80% 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.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Humerus impairment?
The key evidence for Humerus impairment 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 Humerus impairment?
The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5202 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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