VASRD 5211 · Musculoskeletal System

Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) VA Disability Rating

A severely unstable shoulder joint from a badly healed fracture, leading to reduced control.

VA Rating Tiers

RatingCriteria
60%Your dominant shoulder is severely damaged and unstable.
50%Your non-dominant shoulder is severely damaged and unstable.

How the VA Evaluates Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint)

Requires X-ray and clinical exam showing malunion or nonunion with significant instability, but not complete flail.

Approval rate

Moderate – distinct from true flail, but must show instability.

Annual service-connected

110 veterans

Average rating

55%

Best Evidence to Gather

  • •X-rays showing bone deformity
  • •Physical therapy notes on ROM loss
  • •Orthopedic diagnosis of joint laxity

Strategy Tips

  • •Highlight limitations in work and ADLs
  • •Provide orthopedic consult notes

C&P Exam Pitfalls

  • •Confusing with general arthritis
  • •Missing dominant side declaration

Common Filing Mistakes

  • •Using pain complaints without structural evidence
  • •No specialist diagnosis

Onset Patterns

  • •Follows severe fractures, often post-surgical failure

Secondary Conditions

Conditions commonly linked to Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint). Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.

  • Tendon Injury

    Joint irregularity stresses tendons

  • Neuropathy

    Repetitive stress or injury to surrounding nerves

Common questions about Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint)

Is Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) under VASRD diagnostic code 5211 (Musculoskeletal System). A severely unstable shoulder joint from a badly healed fracture, leading to reduced control.
What VA disability rating can I get for Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint)?
Possible VA ratings for Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) are 60%, 50%. Examples: 60% — Your dominant shoulder is severely damaged and unstable.; 50% — Your non-dominant shoulder is severely damaged and unstable..
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint)?
The average awarded rating for Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) is 55%. Roughly 110 veterans are service-connected for Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) each year. Typical approval likelihood: Moderate – distinct from true flail, but must show instability..
What evidence helps prove Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) claim includes: X-rays showing bone deformity; Physical therapy notes on ROM loss; Orthopedic diagnosis of joint laxity.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint)?
Common pitfalls when filing for Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint): Using pain complaints without structural evidence; No specialist diagnosis.
What conditions are commonly secondary to Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint)?
Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) include: Tendon Injury, Neuropathy. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.

Estimate your combined rating

See how Impairment of the Humerus (False Flail Joint) combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.

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