VASRD 5205 · Musculoskeletal System
Ankylosis of the Elbow VA Disability Rating
Your elbow is fused, so the forearm is fixed at one angle. VA rates the fusion by the angle it is fixed at, by whether forearm rotation is also completely lost, and by whether it is your dominant or non-dominant arm.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Your dominant elbow is fused at less than 50 degrees, or the forearm cannot rotate at all. |
| 50% | Either the unfavorable fusion on your non-dominant side, or an intermediate-angle fusion on your dominant side. |
| 40% | Either an intermediate-angle fusion on your non-dominant side, or a favorable fusion on your dominant side. |
| 30% | Your non-dominant elbow is fused at a favorable angle, between 90 and 70 degrees. |
How the VA Evaluates Ankylosis of the Elbow
Diagnostic code 5205 rates ankylosis - fusion - of the elbow, in two columns for the major (dominant) and the minor (non-dominant) extremity. Unfavorable ankylosis, at an angle of less than 50 degrees or with complete loss of supination or pronation, is 60 percent major and 50 percent minor. Intermediate ankylosis, at an angle of more than 90 degrees or between 70 and 50 degrees, is 50 percent major and 40 percent minor. Favorable ankylosis, at an angle between 90 and 70 degrees, is 40 percent major and 30 percent minor. Those three rows are the whole code - 60 percent is the highest evaluation DC 5205 produces - and complete loss of supination or pronation reaches the unfavorable row on its own, even where the fixed angle alone would not.
Approval outlook
Moderate
Veterans service-connected
~1,100 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~50%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •X-rays or CT confirming true bony ankylosis of the elbow and the angle at which the joint is fixed.
- •Goniometer measurements recording that fixed angle, together with supination and pronation measurements, since complete loss of forearm rotation reaches the unfavorable row by itself.
- •Documentation of which arm is dominant, since every row of this code pays 10 percent more in the major extremity than in the minor one.
Strategy Tips
- •Include goniometer data specifically documenting the exact fixed angle, since this precise measurement determines which rating tier applies.
- •Show functional impact clearly - what tasks become impossible with the elbow fixed at this angle - since this context supports the clinical measurement.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Missing joint angle data, which is central to how this rating is determined.
- •No range-of-motion tests performed to confirm the exact degree of fixation.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Only describing pain rather than documenting the actual fixed angle.
- •No measurement proof to support the claimed severity tier.
Onset Patterns
- •Elbow ankylosis commonly follows a severe trauma or a surgical procedure that fused the joint.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Ankylosis of the Elbow. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Loss of hand function
Shoulder pain
Atrophy
Common questions about Ankylosis of the Elbow
- Is Ankylosis of the Elbow a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Ankylosis of the Elbow under VASRD diagnostic code 5205 (Musculoskeletal System). Your elbow is fused, so the forearm is fixed at one angle. VA rates the fusion by the angle it is fixed at, by whether forearm rotation is also completely lost, and by whether it is your dominant or non-dominant arm.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Ankylosis of the Elbow?
- Possible VA ratings for Ankylosis of the Elbow are 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%. Examples: 60%: Your dominant elbow is fused at less than 50 degrees, or the forearm cannot rotate at all.; 50%: Either the unfavorable fusion on your non-dominant side, or an intermediate-angle fusion on your dominant side.; 40%: Either an intermed…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Ankylosis of the Elbow?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Ankylosis of the Elbow at around 50%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 1,100 veterans are service-connected for Ankylosis of the Elbow. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate.
- What evidence helps prove Ankylosis of the Elbow for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Ankylosis of the Elbow claim includes: X-rays or CT confirming true bony ankylosis of the elbow and the angle at which the joint is fixed.; Goniometer measurements recording that fixed angle, together with supination and pronation measurements, since complete loss of forearm rotation reaches the…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Ankylosis of the Elbow?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Ankylosis of the Elbow: Only describing pain rather than documenting the actual fixed angle.; No measurement proof to support the claimed severity tier..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Ankylosis of the Elbow?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Ankylosis of the Elbow include: Loss of hand function, Shoulder pain, Atrophy. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a — Schedule of ratings — musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5205)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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