EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
DC 5206 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5206 |
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5206 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5206 across 6 severity tiers (50% / 40% / 30% / 20% / 10%…). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Cubital Tunnel Syndrome under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Inflammation and degeneration of the medial (inner) elbow tendons causing pain with gripping, throwing, and wrist flexion
RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)
50%
DC 5206 Major "Flexion limited to 45°" = 50%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5206.)
40%
DC 5206 Major "Flexion limited to 55°" = 40%; DC 5206 Minor "Flexion limited to 45°" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5206.)
30%
DC 5206 Major "Flexion limited to 70°" = 30%; DC 5206 Minor "Flexion limited to 55°" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5206.)
20%
DC 5206 "Flexion limited to 90°" = 20% (Major or Minor). (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5206.)
10%
DC 5206 "Flexion limited to 100°" = 10% (Major or Minor); DC 5206 "Flexion limited to 110°" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback with medial epicondyle tenderness + positive resisted-flexion test = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
0%
Diagnosed medial epicondylitis without compensable ROM under DC 5206 AND without objectively-confirmed painful-motion findings supporting the DC 5003 single-joint fallback.
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
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (1 MAPPED)
DC
Inflammation near ulnar nerve
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