EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Wrist Replacement (Arthroplasty)
DC 5053 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5053 |
Wrist Replacement (Arthroplasty) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5053 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5053 across 4 severity tiers (100% / 70% / 50% / 30%). 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 wrist joint (total wrist arthroplasty) with residual pain and functional limitations
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
100%
DC 5053 verbatim — For 1 year following implantation of prosthesis: 100 percent. Per Note (4), commences after the 1-month total rating under § 4.30 following hospital discharge. Footnote 1: SMC entitled during the 100% period.
70%
DC 5053 verbatim — Post-100%-period: With chronic residuals consisting of severe, painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity: 70 percent.
50%
DC 5053 verbatim — With intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion, rate by analogy to DC 5214: 50 percent typical.
30%
DC 5053 verbatim — Minimum rating: 30 percent. Per Note (1), no additional § 4.71a rating may be assigned for the same wrist 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