VA Disability Rating for Humerus, other impairment of (DC 5202)

Body system: Musculoskeletal SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.71aDBQ: DBQ MUSC Shoulder and arm

DC 5202, humerus, other impairment of, is rated by the level below that matches your condition; the dominant (major) arm is rated higher than the non-dominant (minor) arm at the upper levels. The levels: Loss of head of (flail shoulder): 80% for the dominant arm, 70% for the non-dominant arm. Nonunion of (false flail joint): 60% for the dominant arm, 50% for the non-dominant arm. Fibrous union of: 50% for the dominant arm, 40% for the non-dominant arm. Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint, with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements: 30% for the dominant arm, 20% for the non-dominant arm. Malunion of, marked deformity: 30% for the dominant arm, 20% for the non-dominant arm. Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint, with infrequent episodes and guarding of movement only at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction at 90 °): 20% for either arm. Malunion of, moderate deformity: 20% for either arm.

Rating levels

  • 80% — You've lost the ball-shaped top part of your upper arm bone (the head of the humerus) that connects to your shoulder socket, resulting in a flail shoulder. A flail shoulder means your shoulder joint is completely unstable and moves abnormally because the bone that normally holds it in place is missing. Your arm essentially hangs loose at the shoulder with little to no functional movement or control.
  • 70% — You qualify for this rating if you have lost the ball-shaped top part of your upper arm bone (called the head of the humerus) that connects to your shoulder socket. This creates what doctors call a "flail shoulder," which means your shoulder joint is completely unstable and your arm essentially hangs loose because there's no solid bone connection holding it in place at the shoulder.
  • 60% — The broken bone in your upper arm has not healed properly and the pieces have failed to grow back together, creating what's called a nonunion (when broken bones don't reconnect). This creates a false flail joint, which means your upper arm bone moves abnormally at the break site like there's an extra joint that shouldn't be there. Your arm essentially has an unstable, floppy section where the bone should be solid, severely limiting your ability to use that arm normally.
  • 50% — The broken bone in your upper arm has failed to heal properly and the pieces never grew back together (nonunion). This creates an abnormal joint where the break occurred that moves too much and in wrong directions (false flail joint), making your arm unstable and unable to function normally.
  • 50% — A fibrous union occurs when your broken humerus (upper arm bone) heals improperly with tough, scar-like tissue connecting the bone pieces instead of solid bone. This creates a weak, unstable connection that causes significant pain, limits your arm movement, and reduces your ability to lift or carry objects with that arm.
  • 40% — Your humerus (upper arm bone) has healed with fibrous union, which means the broken bone pieces have connected with tough, fibrous scar tissue instead of solid bone. This creates a weaker connection that doesn't provide the same stability and strength as normal bone healing, resulting in ongoing pain, limited range of motion, and functional problems with your arm.
  • 30% — Your shoulder joint keeps popping out of place on a regular basis, and because of this recurring problem, you have to be very careful and protective with how you move your entire arm. The scapulohumeral joint is where your upper arm bone (humerus) connects to your shoulder blade (scapula), and "guarding" means you unconsciously limit or avoid certain movements to prevent pain or further injury.
  • 20% — Your shoulder joint keeps popping out of place on a regular basis, and because of this you're constantly protecting your arm by limiting how you move it. The shoulder blade and upper arm bone (scapulohumeral joint) won't stay properly connected, causing repeated dislocations that happen often enough that you instinctively guard against normal arm movements to prevent another dislocation.
  • 20% — Your shoulder joint (where your upper arm bone meets your shoulder blade) dislocates occasionally but not very often, and you protect or limit your shoulder movement when you raise your arm to shoulder height - either lifting it straight out to the side or straight forward to a 90-degree angle. You may avoid certain movements or move more carefully to prevent your shoulder from popping out of place again.
  • 20% — Your shoulder joint (where your upper arm bone meets your shoulder blade) dislocates occasionally but not very often, and you protect or limit your shoulder movement when you raise your arm to shoulder height - either lifting it straight out to the side or straight forward to a 90-degree angle. You may avoid certain movements or move more carefully to prevent your shoulder from popping out of place again.
  • 30% — The bones in your upper arm healed incorrectly after a fracture and now have significant, visible shape changes that you can clearly see or feel. This malunion (when broken bones heal in the wrong position) has created obvious deformity of your upper arm that noticeably affects its normal appearance and structure.
  • 20% — Your upper arm bone (humerus) healed improperly after a fracture or injury, causing a significant visible change in the shape or alignment of your arm. The bone pieces didn't line up correctly when they healed together (malunion), resulting in an obvious deformity that can be seen or felt when looking at your arm.
  • 20% — Your upper arm bone (humerus) healed incorrectly after a fracture or break, causing a moderate visible deformity or abnormal shape. The bone pieces didn't line up properly during healing (malunion), resulting in a noticeable change to the normal appearance of your upper arm that affects its function.
  • 20% — Your upper arm bone (humerus) healed incorrectly after a fracture or break, causing a moderate visible deformity or abnormal shape. The bone pieces didn't line up properly during healing (malunion), resulting in a noticeable change to the normal appearance of your upper arm that affects its function.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.

Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic (DC 5000)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5000.
Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive (DC 5001)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5001.
Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process (DC 5002)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5002.
Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic (DC 5003)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5003.
Arthritis, gonorrheal (DC 5004)
The plain-English rating criteria and Board decision data for DC 5004.