EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
DC 5206 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5206 |
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis 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 Wrist Condition or Shoulder Condition under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
OVERVIEW
Inflammation and degeneration of the lateral (outer) elbow tendons causing pain with gripping, lifting, and wrist extension
RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)
50%
DC 5206 Major arm "Flexion limited to 45°" = 50%; DC 5206 Minor arm "Flexion limited to 45°" = 40% (cannot reach 50% on Minor at this tier). (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 20/20). (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5206.)
10%
DC 5206 "Flexion limited to 100°" = 10% (Major or Minor — verbatim 10/10); DC 5206 "Flexion limited to 110°" = 10% (Major or Minor); OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback (elbow is one major joint per § 4.45) with painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm objectively confirmed (e.g., lateral epicondyle tenderness, positive Cozen test, positive Mill test) = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.)
0%
Diagnosed lateral epicondylitis (positive Cozen / Mill test, lateral epicondyle tenderness) without compensable ROM under DC 5206 (flexion ≥110°) AND without separately-rateable functional residual supporting the DC 5003 10% 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 (2 MAPPED)
DC
Gripping compensation affects wrist
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
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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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026