What rates 70% for Arm Amputation Above Elbow under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120 (DC 5121), a 70% rating for Arm Amputation Above Elbow requires: Minor (non-dominant) extremity variants of DC 5122 and DC 5123 rate at 70 percent.

What happens during a C&P exam for Arm Amputation Above Elbow?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Arm Amputation Above Elbow

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Arm Amputation Above Elbow?

Arm Amputation Above Elbow (DC 5121) is rated at 90%, 80%, 70% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120. DC 5121 verbatim — Above insertion of deltoid: 90 percent (major dominant arm) / 80 percent (minor). Footnote 1: also entitled to SMC under 38 CFR § 3.350.

Q: What rates 90% for Arm Amputation Above Elbow under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120 (DC 5121), a 90% rating for Arm Amputation Above Elbow requires: DC 5121 verbatim — Above insertion of deltoid: 90 percent (major dominant arm) / 80 percent (minor). Footnote 1: also entitled to SMC under 38 CFR § 3.350.

Q: What rates 80% for Arm Amputation Above Elbow under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120 (DC 5121), a 80% rating for Arm Amputation Above Elbow requires: DC 5122 verbatim — Below insertion of deltoid: 80 percent (major) / 70 percent (minor). DC 5123 verbatim — Above insertion of pronator teres: 80 percent (major) / 70 percent (minor). Both footnote 1 SMC entitled.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Arm Amputation Above Elbow VA claim?

Key evidence for a Arm Amputation Above Elbow claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 5121 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120 | 

Arm Amputation Above Elbow is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5121 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5120 across 3 severity tiers (90% / 80% / 70%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

OVERVIEW

Amputation of the upper extremity above the elbow (transhumeral), requiring prosthetic use and causing significant functional loss

RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)

90%

DC 5121 verbatim — Above insertion of deltoid: 90 percent (major dominant arm) / 80 percent (minor). Footnote 1: also entitled to SMC under 38 CFR § 3.350.

80%

DC 5122 verbatim — Below insertion of deltoid: 80 percent (major) / 70 percent (minor). DC 5123 verbatim — Above insertion of pronator teres: 80 percent (major) / 70 percent (minor). Both footnote 1 SMC entitled.

70%

Minor (non-dominant) extremity variants of DC 5122 and DC 5123 rate at 70 percent.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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