---
title: "DC 5202 - Humerus, other impairment of:"
diagnostic_code: "5202"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5202-humerus-other-impairment-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:43:36.997434Z"
---

# DC 5202 - Humerus, other impairment of:

Rated under § 4.71a. Body system: Musculoskeletal System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 80% | 70% | Loss of head of (flail shoulder) |
| 60% | 50% | Nonunion of (false flail joint) |
| 50% | 40% | Fibrous union of |
| 30% | 20% | Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint: With frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements |
| 20% | 20% | 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% | Malunion of: Marked deformity |
| 20% | 20% | 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.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a