VA Diagnostic Code 5202Humerus, other impairment of:
Rated from 20% to 80% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 80%70% non-dominant
Loss of head of (flail shoulder)
- 60%50% non-dominant
Nonunion of (false flail joint)
- 50%40% non-dominant
Fibrous union of
- 30%20% non-dominant
Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint: With frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements
- 20%20% non-dominant
Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint: With infrequent episodes and guarding of movement only at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction at 90 °)
- 30%20% non-dominant
Malunion of: Marked deformity
- 20%20% non-dominant
Malunion of: Moderate deformity
Humerus, Other Impairment of (VA Diagnostic Code 5202)
Understanding how the VA rates impairment of the humerus (upper arm bone) at the shoulder.
What This Condition Is
Diagnostic Code 5202 falls under the Musculoskeletal System and is found in § 4.71a of the VA rating schedule. It covers "other impairment" of the humerus — the long bone of the upper arm — including problems at the shoulder (scapulohumeral) joint.
This code addresses several distinct types of impairment, such as loss of the head of the humerus, nonunion or fibrous union of the bone, recurrent dislocation at the shoulder joint, and malunion (bone that healed in a poor position).
An important feature of this code is that the rating depends on whether the affected arm is your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity. The non-dominant side is generally rated at a lower percentage for the same level of impairment.
Available Rating Levels
Ratings are listed below with the dominant-extremity percentage first, followed by the non-dominant (minor) extremity percentage.
| Rating (Dominant) | Rating (Non-Dominant) | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 80% | 70% | Loss of head of the humerus (flail shoulder) |
| 60% | 50% | Nonunion of the humerus (false flail joint) |
| 50% | 40% | Fibrous union of the humerus |
| 30% | 20% | Recurrent dislocation at scapulohumeral joint — with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements |
| 20% | 20% | Recurrent dislocation at scapulohumeral joint — with infrequent episodes and guarding of movement only at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction at 90°) |
| 30% | 20% | Malunion of the humerus — marked deformity |
| 20% | 20% | Malunion of the humerus — moderate deformity |
What the VA Looks For
When rating this condition, the VA considers the specific type and severity of the impairment described in the criteria above. Key factors include:
- Which arm is affected — dominant (major) versus non-dominant (minor), since this changes the assigned percentage.
- The nature of the bone impairment — for example, loss of the head of the humerus (flail shoulder), nonunion (false flail joint), or fibrous union.
- For recurrent dislocation at the scapulohumeral joint — how often episodes occur (frequent vs. infrequent) and the extent of guarding: guarding of all arm movements versus guarding of movement only at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction at 90°).
- For malunion — whether the deformity is described as marked or moderate.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the rating criteria under Diagnostic Code 5202. It does not predict any individual outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5202. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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