What rates 60% for Arm Amputation Below Elbow under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5124?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5124 (DC 5124), a 60% rating for Arm Amputation Below Elbow requires: Minor (non-dominant) extremity at these levels rates 60 percent.

What happens during a C&P exam for Arm Amputation Below 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.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Arm Amputation Below Elbow

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

Arm Amputation Below Elbow (DC 5124) is rated at 70%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5124. DC 5124 verbatim — Forearm amputation, Below insertion of pronator teres: 70 percent (major dominant) / 60 percent (minor). DC 5125 verbatim — Hand, loss of use of: 70 percent (major) / 60 percent (minor). Footnote 1: SMC entitled.

Q: What rates 70% for Arm Amputation Below Elbow under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5124?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5124 (DC 5124), a 70% rating for Arm Amputation Below Elbow requires: DC 5124 verbatim — Forearm amputation, Below insertion of pronator teres: 70 percent (major dominant) / 60 percent (minor). DC 5125 verbatim — Hand, loss of use of: 70 percent (major) / 60 percent (minor). Footnote 1: SMC entitled.

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

Key evidence for a Arm Amputation Below 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 5124 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5124 | 

Arm Amputation Below Elbow is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5124 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5124 across 2 severity tiers (70% / 60%). 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 forearm below the elbow (transradial), requiring prosthetic use and causing loss of hand function

RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)

70%

DC 5124 verbatim — Forearm amputation, Below insertion of pronator teres: 70 percent (major dominant) / 60 percent (minor). DC 5125 verbatim — Hand, loss of use of: 70 percent (major) / 60 percent (minor). Footnote 1: SMC entitled.

60%

Minor (non-dominant) extremity at these levels rates 60 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.

Secondary Conditions Explorer

736 secondaries mapped

Calculate Your Rating

VA math + dollar impact

RELATED TOOLS

Rating Calculator Secondaries Map C&P Exam Prep PACT Act Scanner 2026 Rates

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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING