VASRD 5209 · Musculoskeletal System
Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) VA Disability Rating
This code covers elbow damage that is neither fusion nor simply lost motion: a flail elbow joint, or an old joint fracture that left the elbow markedly angled inward or outward, or a fracture of the head of the radius that never united.
VA Rating Tiers
How the VA Evaluates Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint)
Diagnostic code 5209 covers impairment of the elbow other than ankylosis or limitation of forearm motion, and it prints two rows. A flail elbow joint is 60 percent in the major (dominant) extremity and 50 percent in the minor (non-dominant) one. A joint fracture with marked cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity, or with an ununited fracture of the head of the radius, is 20 percent in both columns. Those two findings are the whole code: it sets no evaluation for loose bodies, locking or painful motion as such, and limitation of forearm motion is rated under diagnostic code 5206 (limitation of flexion), 5207 (limitation of extension) or 5208 (flexion limited to 100 degrees and extension to 45 degrees, a flat 20 percent) instead.
Approval outlook
Moderate
Veterans service-connected
~29,000 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~20%
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 of the elbow establishing which of this code's two findings is present - a flail joint, a marked cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity, or an ununited fracture of the head of the radius.
- •An orthopedic examination describing elbow stability, since a flail joint is what separates the 60/50 percent row from the 20 percent row.
- •Documentation of which arm is dominant, since the flail-joint row pays 60 percent in the major extremity and 50 percent in the minor one.
Strategy Tips
- •Get clear, current imaging showing the loose bodies, since this is the specific finding that confirms the diagnosis and distinguishes it from ordinary elbow arthritis.
- •Get a medical opinion explicitly connecting the current joint fragments to your in-service fracture, since establishing that causal chain is central to the claim.
- •Describe episodes of locking or catching in detail, since these functional symptoms are as important as the imaging finding itself.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Range of motion that appears normal during the exam, even though locking and catching may be intermittent rather than constant.
- •Pain that isn't adequately reported or described during the exam, which can lead to an understated severity finding.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Not submitting imaging, since X-ray confirmation of the retained loose bodies is the specific evidence this code depends on.
- •Not clearly explaining how the current elbow condition relates to an in-service fracture, since that connection is what establishes service connection in the first place.
Onset Patterns
- •This condition develops after a specific elbow fracture during service, where bone or cartilage fragments broke off and remained within the joint space rather than being fully reabsorbed or removed.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Arthritis
Limited range of motion
Common questions about Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint)
- Is Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) under VASRD diagnostic code 5209 (Musculoskeletal System). This code covers elbow damage that is neither fusion nor simply lost motion: a flail elbow joint, or an old joint fracture that left the elbow markedly angled inward or outward, or a fracture of the head…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint)?
- Possible VA ratings for Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) are 60%, 50%, 20%. Examples: 60%: Your dominant elbow is flail - the joint has no stability and cannot control the forearm.; 50%: The same flail elbow, on your non-dominant side.; 20%: An old elbow fracture that left the forearm angled noticeably in or out…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint)?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) at around 20%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 29,000 veterans are service-connected for Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint). Estimated approval outlook: Moderate.
- What evidence helps prove Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) claim includes: X-rays or CT of the elbow establishing which of this code's two findings is present - a flail joint, a marked cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity, or an ununited fracture of the head of the radius.; An orthopedic examination describing e…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint)?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint): Not submitting imaging, since X-ray confirmation of the retained loose bodies is the specific evidence this code depends on.; Not clearly explaining how the current elbow condition relates to an in-service fracture, since that connection is what es…
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint)?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Elbow, Other Impairment (Flail Joint) include: Arthritis, Limited range of motion. 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 5209)
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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