---
title: "DC 5207 - Forearm, limitation of extension of:"
diagnostic_code: "5207"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5207-forearm-limitation-of-extension-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:45:27.482923Z"
---

# DC 5207 - Forearm, limitation of extension of:

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 50% | 40% | Extension limited to 110° |
| 40% | 30% | Extension limited to 100° |
| 30% | 20% | Extension limited to 90° |
| 20% | 20% | Extension limited to 75° |
| 10% | 10% | Extension limited to 60° |
| 10% | 10% | Extension limited to 45° |

## 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.

# Forearm — Limitation of Extension (Diagnostic Code 5207)

## Understanding This Rating

**Diagnostic Code 5207** covers **limitation of extension of the forearm**, a musculoskeletal condition rated under **§ 4.71a**.

Extension refers to the ability to straighten your arm at the elbow. When an injury or condition prevents your forearm from extending fully, the VA measures how far your extension is limited (in degrees) to determine a disability rating.

Because it matters which arm is affected, the VA assigns ratings based on whether the limitation is in your **dominant** arm (the one you write with, often called the "major" extremity) or your **non-dominant** arm (the "minor" extremity).

## Available Rating Levels

The following ratings apply based on how limited your forearm extension is. Each level lists the rating for the **dominant** extremity, with the **non-dominant** extremity rating noted alongside it.

| Rating (Dominant) | Rating (Non-Dominant) | What It Reflects |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 40% | Extension limited to 110° |
| 40% | 30% | Extension limited to 100° |
| 30% | 20% | Extension limited to 90° |
| 20% | 20% | Extension limited to 75° |
| 10% | 10% | Extension limited to 60° |
| 10% | 10% | Extension limited to 45° |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating limitation of extension of the forearm, the VA focuses on:

- **The degree to which extension is limited** — measured in degrees, which places your condition on the rating scale above.
- **Which extremity is affected** — dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor), since this changes the assigned percentage.

## Important Note

For all forearm and wrist injuries covered under diagnostic 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 § 4.71a for Diagnostic Code 5207. It is provided for general understanding and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.*

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