---
title: "DC 5209 - Elbow, other impairment of"
diagnostic_code: "5209"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5209-elbow-other-impairment-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:46:29.866682Z"
---

# DC 5209 - Elbow, other impairment of

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 60% | 50% | Flail joint |
| 20% | 20% | Joint fracture, with marked cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity or with ununited fracture of head of radius |

## 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 — 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.*

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