Claiming Elbow Limitation of Motion?
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VA Rating Tiers
70%
ankylosis unfavorable
50%
ankylosis favorable
40%
severe rom
20%
moderate rom
10%
mild rom
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›70%: Unfavorable ankylosis — elbow fused in a non-functional position (fully extended or extreme angle). DC 5155.
- ›50%: Favorable ankylosis — elbow fused at approximately 90° (functional position). DC 5155.
- ›40%: Flexion limited to 60° or less — severe loss of elbow bending motion. DC 5160.
- ›20%: Flexion limited to 80°–90° — moderate limitation. DC 5160.
- ›10%: Flexion limited to 100° — mild limitation. DC 5160.
- ›0%: Motion restricted but above rating threshold — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 5155: Elbow ankylosis — 50% favorable, 70% unfavorable.
- ›DC 5160: Limitation of flexion — 10% at 100°; 20% at 80°; 40% at 60°.
- ›DC 5161: Limitation of extension — 10% at 45°; rated separately if extension is the primary limitation.
- ›Dominant extremity receives 10% add-on under 38 CFR § 4.68.
- ›ROM measurements from the C&P exam goniometer drive the rating — move only to your actual limit.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •DC 5155 — elbow ankylosis; DC 5160 — limitation of flexion; DC 5161 — limitation of extension.
- •Rating is based on measured degrees — bring goniometric ROM measurements from a provider.
- •Dominant vs. non-dominant arm affects combined rating under 38 CFR § 4.68.
- •Document in-service cause: fracture, dislocation, blast injury, or repetitive strain.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •in-service records of elbow fracture, dislocation, or traumatic injury
- •sick call records documenting elbow pain or motion restriction during service
Medical Evidence
- •orthopedic records with goniometric range of motion measurements
- •elbow X-ray or MRI showing fracture, arthritis, or hardware
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •personal statement describing elbow stiffness and tasks you can no longer perform
Diagnostic Tests
- •elbow X-ray
- •MRI elbow
- •goniometric ROM measurement
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Orthopedic / Elbow DBQ
Be ready to describe
- •degrees of motion on worst days
- •which arm is dominant
- •tasks you cannot do because of elbow stiffness
Prep notes
- •Move only to your actual comfortable limit — do not push through pain.
- •Mention which arm is dominant — it affects the combined rating.
- •Bring X-ray or surgical records if hardware was placed.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 5155
- Category
- Musculoskeletal
- Subcategory
- Upper Extremity
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 70%
Also Known As
elbow limitation of motionelbow ROMlimited elbow flexionlimited elbow extensionelbow stiffnesselbow ankylosisrestricted elbow movementelbow contracture
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