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Limited Supination/Pronation (Forearm)
DC 5213 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5213 |
Limited Supination/Pronation (Forearm) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5213 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5213 across 5 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20% / 10% / 0%). 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
Inability to fully rotate the forearm palm up (supination) or palm down (pronation), affecting daily tasks and tool use
RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)
40%
DC 5213 Major "Hand fixed in supination or hyperpronation" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5213.) Complete loss of rotation in either extreme — functional severe impairment of grasping, eating, writing.
30%
DC 5213 Minor "Hand fixed in supination or hyperpronation" = 30%; DC 5213 Major "Hand fixed in full pronation" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5213.)
20%
DC 5213 Major "Hand fixed near the middle of the arc or moderate pronation" = 20%; DC 5213 Major "Limitation of pronation: Motion lost beyond middle of arc" = 30% Major (alternative reading — most severe pronation limitation); DC 5213 Minor "Hand fixed in full pronation" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5213.)
10%
DC 5213 "Limitation of pronation: Motion lost beyond last quarter of arc, the hand does not approach full pronation" = 20% Major / 20% Minor — best read as 20% but some interpretations yield 10% per layout; DC 5213 "Limitation of supination: To 30° or less" = 10% (Major or Minor); DC 5213 Minor "Hand fixed near middle of arc" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5213.)
0%
Limited supination/pronation diagnosed (e.g., post-fracture residual) but ROM not crossing any DC 5213 compensable threshold (supination >30°, pronation through full arc).
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