VA Diagnostic Code 5122Below insertion of deltoid
A single 80% rating under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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- 80%70% non-dominant
Below 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.
VA Disability Rating: Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid (Diagnostic Code 5122)
Understanding This Rating
Diagnostic Code 5122 falls under the Musculoskeletal System and is defined in § 4.71a of the VA rating schedule. This code addresses an amputation of the arm at a level below the insertion of the deltoid muscle.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a rating based on which arm is affected — your dominant (major) arm or your non-dominant (minor) arm.
| Rating | Affected Extremity | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 80% | Dominant (major) extremity | Below insertion of deltoid |
| 70% | Non-dominant (minor) extremity | Below insertion of deltoid |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating a claim under this diagnostic code, the VA considers:
- The level of the amputation — specifically, whether the amputation is located below the insertion of the deltoid.
- Which arm is affected — the rating differs depending on whether the amputation involves the dominant or non-dominant extremity.
Additional Note
This condition may also qualify a veteran for special monthly compensation (SMC), an additional benefit that may apply in certain circumstances beyond the standard rating percentage.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (§ 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5122). Individual ratings are determined by the VA based on the specifics of each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5122. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.
Claim it by code
File under diagnostic code 5122 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.
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