---
title: "DC 5211 - Ulna, impairment of:"
diagnostic_code: "5211"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5211-ulna-impairment-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T19:47:26.551063Z"
---

# DC 5211 - Ulna, impairment of:

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 40% | 30% | Nonunion in upper half, with false movement: With loss of bone substance (1 inch (2.5 cms.) or more) and marked deformity |
| 30% | 20% | Nonunion in upper half, with false movement: Without loss of bone substance or deformity |
| 20% | 20% | Nonunion in lower half |
| 10% | 10% | Malunion of, with bad alignment |

## 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.

# Ulna Impairment (VA Diagnostic Code 5211)

**Understanding how the VA rates impairment of the ulna under § 4.71a.**

## What This Condition Involves

The ulna is one of the two long bones in the forearm. Diagnostic Code 5211 covers **impairment of the ulna**, and falls under the **Musculoskeletal System** in the VA's rating schedule.

When rating this condition, the VA considers factors such as whether there is *nonunion* (the bone failing to heal back together), where along the bone that nonunion occurs (upper half or lower half), whether there is "false movement," loss of bone substance, deformity, or *malunion* (the bone healing in a poor position).

The VA also distinguishes between your **dominant ("major") arm** and your **non-dominant ("minor") arm**, which can affect the assigned rating level.

## Available Rating Levels

The ratings below list the level for the dominant extremity first, followed by the level for the non-dominant extremity where it differs.

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **40%** (30% non-dominant) | Nonunion in the upper half, with false movement — **with** loss of bone substance (1 inch / 2.5 cm or more) and marked deformity |
| **30%** (20% non-dominant) | Nonunion in the upper half, with false movement — **without** loss of bone substance or deformity |
| **20%** (20% non-dominant) | Nonunion in the lower half |
| **10%** (10% non-dominant) | Malunion, with bad alignment |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating an ulna impairment, the VA reviews:

- **Whether there is nonunion or malunion** of the bone.
- **The location** of any nonunion — upper half versus lower half of the ulna.
- **The presence of false movement** where the bone has not healed.
- **Loss of bone substance** (1 inch / 2.5 cm or more) and **marked deformity**, which support the highest listed level.
- **Bad alignment** in cases of malunion.
- **Whether the affected arm is your dominant or non-dominant side**, which is factored into the rating.

## Important Note

Per the rating schedule: *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 the rating for loss of use of the hand.*

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule at § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5211. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome. Individual evaluations are based on your specific medical evidence and examination.*

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