VASRD 5121 · Musculoskeletal System

Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid VA Disability Rating

Loss of arm below the shoulder joint, above or at the mid-arm.

VA Rating Tiers

RatingCriteria
90%Near-shoulder amputation
80%Upper arm amputation

How the VA Evaluates Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid

Amputation level and residual limb function.

Approval rate

Very high (~95%) if service-connected trauma or surgery.

Annual service-connected

300 veterans

Average rating

90%

Best Evidence to Gather

  • •Surgical reports
  • •Occupational therapy evaluations

Strategy Tips

  • •Include prosthetic training and limitations
  • •Mention phantom pain explicitly

C&P Exam Pitfalls

  • •Not specifying amputation height
  • •No prosthesis impact noted

Common Filing Mistakes

  • •Missing rehab notes
  • •No prosthetic evaluation

Onset Patterns

  • •Usually from battlefield trauma, severe fracture, or infection

Secondary Conditions

Conditions commonly linked to Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.

  • Phantom Limb Pain

    Nerve signal mismatch

  • Shoulder Pain

    Overuse of residual muscles

Common questions about Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid

Is Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid under VASRD diagnostic code 5121 (Musculoskeletal System). Loss of arm below the shoulder joint, above or at the mid-arm.
What VA disability rating can I get for Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid?
Possible VA ratings for Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid are 90%, 80%. Examples: 90% — Near-shoulder amputation; 80% — Upper arm amputation.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid?
The average awarded rating for Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid is 90%. Roughly 300 veterans are service-connected for Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid each year. Typical approval likelihood: Very high (~95%) if service-connected trauma or surgery..
What evidence helps prove Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid claim includes: Surgical reports; Occupational therapy evaluations.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid?
Common pitfalls when filing for Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid: Missing rehab notes; No prosthetic evaluation.
What conditions are commonly secondary to Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid?
Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid include: Phantom Limb Pain, Shoulder Pain. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.

Estimate your combined rating

See how Arm, Amputation Below Insertion of Deltoid combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.

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