DC 5212Musculoskeletal System38 CFR § 4.71a

Radius, impairment of

The VA rates Radius, impairment of under Diagnostic Code 5212 across 4 severity levels, from 10% to 40%. The 40% maximum means additional ratings through secondary conditions or combined ratings are critical for higher compensation.

Rating schedule — DC 5212 at a glance

Minimum rating
10%

Lowest schedular rating available

Maximum rating
40%

TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%

Rating tiers
4

10%, 20%, 30%, 40%

CFR section
§ 4.71a

Part 4 rating schedule

Body system
Musculoskeletal System
Secondary conditions
0

None mapped

What are the VA rating criteria for Radius, impairment of?

RatingCriteria
10%

Malunion of, with bad alignment; 10

20%

Without loss of bone substance or deformity; 30

30%

With loss of bone substance (1 inch (2.5 cms.) or more) and marked deformity; 40

40%

With loss of bone substance (1 inch (2.5 cms.) or more) and marked deformity; 30

With loss of bone substance (1 inch (2.5 cms.) or more) and marked deformity; 40

Common Questions About Radius, impairment of VA Ratings

What is the VA rating range for Radius, impairment of?

The VA rates Radius, impairment of under Diagnostic Code 5212 at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%. The minimum 10% rating requires: Malunion of, with bad alignment; 10. The maximum 40% rating requires: With loss of bone substance (1 inch (2.5 cms.) or more) and marked deformity; 30.

Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Radius, impairment of?

The VA rates Radius, impairment of under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5212, governed by 38 CFR 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 10% and a 40% rating for Radius, impairment of?

A 10% rating requires: Malunion of, with bad alignment; 10. A 40% rating requires: With loss of bone substance (1 inch (2.5 cms.) or more) and marked deformity; 30. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.

Can Radius, impairment of qualify for TDIU?

Possibly. Radius, impairment of maxes at 40%, which doesn't meet the single-disability TDIU threshold of 60% alone. However, if combined with other service-connected disabilities totaling 70%+ (with one at 40%+), TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a) may apply. Extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is also available if the condition alone prevents work regardless of rating.

What evidence supports a higher rating for Radius, impairment of?

The key evidence for Radius, impairment of 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 Radius, impairment of?

The C&P examiner uses a Musculoskeletal System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 5212 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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