Musculoskeletal System§ 4.71aUpdated
Rating criteria

VA Diagnostic Code 5124Below insertion of pronator teres

A single 70% rating under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires for it.

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  1. 70%60% non-dominant

    Below insertion of pronator teres

From the schedule

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: Ankylosis Below Insertion of Pronator Teres (Diagnostic Code 5124)

Body System: Musculoskeletal System Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.71a Diagnostic Code: 5124

What This Condition Involves

Diagnostic Code 5124 addresses ankylosis of the forearm at a point below the insertion of the pronator teres — a muscle located near the elbow that helps rotate the forearm. When the affected area becomes fixed (ankylosed), the joint loses its normal range of motion.

Because the impact of a musculoskeletal condition can depend on which arm is affected, the VA rates this condition differently for your dominant (major) arm versus your non-dominant (minor) arm.

Available Rating Levels

ConditionDominant ExtremityNon-Dominant Extremity
Below insertion of pronator teres70%60%

What the VA Looks For

When evaluating this condition, the VA considers:

  • The location of the ankylosis — specifically whether it is below the insertion of the pronator teres.
  • Which arm is affected — the dominant (major) extremity is rated at 70%, while the non-dominant (minor) extremity is rated at 60%.

Additional Note

  • This rating may entitle you to special monthly compensation.

This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the rating criteria under 38 CFR § 4.71a. It is not legal advice, and individual rating decisions are made by the VA based on your specific circumstances.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5124. The official version is the one that governs your rating.

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What next

How to claim this

Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.

  1. Find your level in the stack

    Read each rung against what your medical records already say. The level your records document today is the one the VA can support today.

  2. Name the gap

    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.

  3. Claim it by code

    File under diagnostic code 5124 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Musculoskeletal System codes may cover your secondary conditions.

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