VA Diagnostic Code 5206Forearm, limitation of flexion of:
Rated from 0% to 50% under § 4.71a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 50%40% non-dominant
Flexion limited to 45°
- 40%30% non-dominant
Flexion limited to 55°
- 30%20% non-dominant
Flexion limited to 70°
- 20%20% non-dominant
Flexion limited to 90°
- 10%10% non-dominant
Flexion limited to 100°
- 0%0% non-dominant
Flexion limited to 110°
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.
Forearm — Limitation of Flexion (Diagnostic Code 5206)
VA Disability Rating — Musculoskeletal System — 38 CFR § 4.71a
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 5206 addresses limitation of flexion of the forearm — that is, a reduced ability to bend the arm at the elbow. Flexion is measured in degrees, and the VA assigns a disability rating based on how far the forearm can bend before movement is limited. In general, the more restricted the flexion, the higher the rating.
The VA also recognizes a difference between the dominant ("major") arm and the non-dominant ("minor") arm. For several rating levels, the non-dominant extremity is assigned a lower percentage than the dominant one.
Rating Levels
The rating levels for limitation of forearm flexion are based on the degree of flexion still possible:
| Rating (Dominant Arm) | Rating (Non-Dominant Arm) | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 40% | Flexion limited to 45° |
| 40% | 30% | Flexion limited to 55° |
| 30% | 20% | Flexion limited to 70° |
| 20% | 20% | Flexion limited to 90° |
| 10% | 10% | Flexion limited to 100° |
| 0% | 0% | Flexion limited to 110° |
What the VA Looks For
When rating under Diagnostic Code 5206, the VA measures how much flexion (bending at the elbow) remains in the forearm, recorded in degrees. The rating assigned corresponds to the degree at which flexion is limited, and takes into account whether the affected arm is the dominant or non-dominant extremity.
Important Note on Related Impairments
For all forearm and wrist injuries (Diagnostic Codes 5205 through 5213), multiple impaired finger movements due to tendon tie-up, muscle injury, or nerve injury are to be rated separately and combined — but the combined rating is not to exceed the rating for loss of use of the hand.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.71a. Individual ratings depend on medical evidence and VA evaluation.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5206. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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