EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Wrist Tendonitis
DC 5024 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 |
Wrist Tendonitis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5024 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5024 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.
OVERVIEW
Inflammation and degeneration of tendons in the wrist from overuse, causing pain, swelling, and reduced grip strength
RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)
50%
DC 5214 Major arm "Wrist, ankylosis of: Unfavorable, in any degree of palmar flexion, or with ulnar or radial deviation" = 50%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5214.) Per DC 5214 Note: extremely unfavorable ankylosis rated as loss of use of hand under DC 5125.
40%
DC 5214 Major "Any other position, except favorable" = 40%; DC 5214 Minor "Unfavorable" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5214.)
30%
DC 5214 Major "Favorable in 20° to 30° dorsiflexion" = 30%; DC 5214 Minor "Any other position, except favorable" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.71a DC 5214.)
20%
DC 5214 Minor "Wrist, ankylosis: Favorable in 20° to 30° dorsiflexion" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.71a.) ⚠ DC 5003 X-ray-only 20% does NOT apply per Note 2.
10%
DC 5215 "Wrist, limitation of motion of: Dorsiflexion less than 15°" = 10% (Major or Minor); DC 5215 "Palmar flexion limited in line with forearm" = 10%; OR — DC 5003 single-joint fallback (wrist is one major joint) with painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm objectively confirmed = 10%. ⚠ X-ray-only "2+ joints" NOT available per Note 2.
0%
Diagnosed wrist tendonitis without compensable ROM under DC 5215 (dorsiflexion ≥15° AND palmar flexion not limited in line with forearm) AND without objectively-confirmed painful motion / swelling / muscle spasm.
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