VA Diagnostic Code 5209Elbow, other impairment of
Rated from 20% 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
Flail joint
- 20%20% non-dominant
Joint fracture, with marked cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity or with ununited fracture of head of radius
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 — Other Impairment (VA Diagnostic Code 5209)
Understanding how the VA rates other elbow impairments under 38 CFR § 4.71a
What This Condition Covers
Diagnostic Code 5209 falls under the Musculoskeletal System and addresses other impairment of the elbow. This rating category is used when an elbow injury causes structural damage such as a flail joint or certain fractures affecting the elbow.
Because ratings for the arm can differ depending on which side is affected, the VA distinguishes between your dominant (major) extremity and your non-dominant (minor) extremity when assigning a percentage.
Available Rating Levels
The VA uses a rating ladder for this condition. The levels below reflect the criteria and percentages in the rating schedule:
| Rating | What It Reflects | Non-Dominant Extremity |
|---|---|---|
| 60% | Flail joint | 50% |
| 20% | Joint fracture, with marked cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity, or with ununited fracture of head of radius | 20% |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating an elbow impairment under this code, the VA considers:
- Whether the elbow is a flail joint — an unstable joint that lacks normal support
- Whether there is a joint fracture accompanied by:
- Marked cubitus varus (an inward angulation deformity of the elbow), or
- Marked cubitus valgus (an outward angulation deformity of the elbow), or
- An ununited fracture of the head of the radius (a radius fracture that has not healed)
- Which arm is affected — your dominant or non-dominant side — since this can change the assigned percentage
Important Note
For all forearm and wrist injuries under 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 the rating for loss of use of the hand.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.71a for Diagnostic Code 5209. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any specific rating outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.71a, diagnostic code 5209. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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