EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Elbow Replacement (Arthroplasty)
DC 5052 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5052 |
Elbow Replacement (Arthroplasty) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5052 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5052 across 4 severity tiers (100% / 70% / 50% / 40%). 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
Prosthetic replacement of the elbow joint (total elbow arthroplasty) with residual pain and functional limitations
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
100%
DC 5052 verbatim — For 1 year following implantation of prosthesis: 100 percent. Per Note (4), commences after initial grant of the 1-month total rating under § 4.30 following hospital discharge. Footnote 1: SMC entitled during the 100% period (Note (6): SMC commences earliest date permanent crutch use is established).
70%
DC 5052 verbatim — Post-100%-period: With chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity: 70 percent (major dominant) / 60 percent (minor).
50%
DC 5052 verbatim — With intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion, rate by analogy to DCs 5205 through 5208: 50 percent (major) / 40 percent (minor) typical.
40%
DC 5052 verbatim — Minimum evaluation: 40 percent (major) / 30 percent (minor). Per Note (1), no additional § 4.71a rating may be assigned for the same elbow joint unless otherwise directed.
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.
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026