VA Diagnostic Code 5205Elbow, ankylosis of:
Rated from 40% to 60% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 60%50% non-dominant
Unfavorable, at an angle of less than 50° or with complete loss of supination or pronation
- 50%40% non-dominant
Intermediate, at an angle of more than 90°, or between 70° and 50°
- 40%30% non-dominant
Favorable, at an angle between 90° and 70°
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: In all the forearm and wrist injuries, codes 5205 through 5213, multiple impaired finger movements due to tendon tie-up, muscle or nerve injury, are to be separately rated and combined not to exceed rating for loss of use of hand.
Elbow Ankylosis (VA Diagnostic Code 5205)
Understanding how the VA rates a fused or immobile elbow under § 4.71a.
What This Condition Is
Diagnostic Code 5205 covers ankylosis of the elbow — a condition in which the elbow joint becomes stiff or fixed in a set position and can no longer move freely. Because the elbow is part of the musculoskeletal system, the VA evaluates how the fixed position of the joint affects the use of the arm.
The way the VA assigns a rating depends on the angle at which the elbow is frozen and whether you have lost the ability to rotate the forearm (supination and pronation). Ratings also differ depending on whether the affected arm is your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity.
Available Rating Levels
The VA rates elbow ankylosis at three levels. The higher percentage in each row applies to the dominant arm; the value in parentheses applies to the non-dominant arm.
| Rating | Non-Dominant Arm | What It Describes |
|---|---|---|
| 60% | 50% | Unfavorable — the elbow is fixed at an angle of less than 50°, or there is complete loss of supination or pronation |
| 50% | 40% | Intermediate — the elbow is fixed at an angle of more than 90°, or between 70° and 50° |
| 40% | 30% | Favorable — the elbow is fixed at an angle between 90° and 70° |
What the VA Looks For
When rating elbow ankylosis, the VA focuses on:
- The angle at which the elbow is fixed, which determines whether the ankylosis is considered favorable, intermediate, or unfavorable.
- Whether supination or pronation (the ability to rotate the forearm) has been completely lost, which supports the highest 60% / 50% level.
- Which arm is affected — the dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity — since this changes the assigned percentage.
Important Note
For all forearm and wrist injuries under codes 5205 through 5213, multiple impaired finger movements caused by tendon tie-up, muscle injury, or nerve injury are to be separately rated and combined, not to exceed the rating for loss of use of the hand.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (§ 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5205) and is provided for general educational purposes.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5205. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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