VA Diagnostic Code 5121Above insertion of deltoid
A single 90% rating under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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- 90%80% non-dominant
Above insertion of deltoid
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation.
Amputation of the Arm — Above Insertion of Deltoid (Diagnostic Code 5121)
VA Disability Rating for Arm Amputation Above the Insertion of the Deltoid
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 5121 falls under the Musculoskeletal System and is evaluated using the VA rating schedule found in § 4.71a. This entry addresses amputation of the arm at a level above the insertion of the deltoid — the point where the deltoid muscle attaches to the upper arm.
Because the arm you write and perform most tasks with matters, the VA distinguishes between a dominant (major) extremity and a non-dominant (minor) extremity when assigning a rating.
Available Rating Levels
| Rating | Criteria | Non-Dominant (Minor) Extremity |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | Amputation above the insertion of the deltoid | 80% |
- If the affected arm is your dominant extremity, this condition is rated at 90%.
- If the affected arm is your non-dominant extremity, this condition is rated at 80%.
Special Monthly Compensation
According to the rating notes, this level of amputation is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC). SMC is an additional benefit that may apply in certain circumstances involving the loss or loss of use of an extremity.
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating under Diagnostic Code 5121, the VA focuses on:
- Whether the amputation occurs above the insertion of the deltoid on the upper arm.
- Which arm is affected — your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity — since this determines the applicable rating percentage.
- Whether the criteria for special monthly compensation are met, as noted for this diagnostic code.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5121. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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File under diagnostic code 5121 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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