EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Wrist Condition VA Disability Rating
DC 5214-5215 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2
OVERVIEW
Wrist conditions include fractures, sprains, tendonitis, ganglion cysts, and degenerative joint disease. Rated under DC 5214 (ankylosis) or DC 5215 (limitation of dorsiflexion or palmar flexion). Normal wrist dorsiflexion is 0-70 degrees, palmar flexion 0-80 degrees. Maximum schedular rating for limitation of motion is 10% unless ankylosis is present. Higher ratings for the dominant hand.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
40% — Ankylosis in unfavorable position (major)
Ankylosis of the wrist in an unfavorable (non-functional) position. Major wrist = dominant hand. Rate under DC 5214. Minor = non-dominant.
30% — Marked limitation of motion (major/minor)
Marked limitation of dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, or combined ROM significantly limiting grip and functional use. Major arm: 20-30%; Minor arm: 20%.
20% — Moderate limitation of motion
Moderate limitation of wrist motion impairing functional use. Rate based on residual functional limitation at the wrist under DC 5215.
10% — Mild limitation or X-ray with pain on motion
Mild limitation of wrist motion with pain; or X-ray evidence of arthritis with painful motion but non-compensable ROM — 10% per the DC 5003 rule.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-X-ray or MRI showing fracture healing, DJD, or structural abnormality
-ROM measurements for dorsiflexion and palmar flexion
-Service records documenting wrist injury, fracture, or repetitive use
-Treatment records for splinting, injections, or surgical intervention
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (2 MAPPED)
DC 8515
Wrist joint pathology directly compresses the carpal tunnel, affecting the median nerve.
DC N/A (documented as functional limitation)
Wrist dysfunction reduces grip strength and hand function.
C&P EXAM TIPS (3)
1.The maximum ROM-based rating for the wrist is only 10% unless ankylosis is present. Focus on documenting the NERVE component (carpal tunnel) for higher combined ratings.
2.Pain that limits functional ability counts under DeLuca factors even if ROM measurements are technically above the threshold.
3.If your wrist condition causes numbness or tingling in the hand, request an EMG/NCV study to evaluate for carpal tunnel as a separate claim.
RELEVANT CASE LAW
38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, DC 5215 (Wrist, limitation of motion); DC 5214 (Wrist, ankylosis)
Wrist rates on limitation of motion differentiating major (dominant) and minor (non-dominant) arms. Rate ankylosis under DC 5214. Limitation of motion under DC 5215. Pain on motion with X-ray = 10% per DC 5003 analog rule.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Wrist at 10% pays $175.03/mo. The real value is using the wrist condition as the foundation for a carpal tunnel secondary claim (10-70%), which is rated much higher.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026