---
title: "DC 5205 - Elbow, ankylosis of:"
diagnostic_code: "5205"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5205-elbow-ankylosis-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:44:26.287205Z"
---

# DC 5205 - Elbow, ankylosis of:

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 60% | 50% | Unfavorable, at an angle of less than 50° or with complete loss of supination or pronation |
| 50% | 40% | Intermediate, at an angle of more than 90°, or between 70° and 50° |
| 40% | 30% | Favorable, at an angle between 90° and 70° |

## Notes

- 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.*

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